New Study Reveals Heart Disease Risk Factors Weigh Heavier on Women

A groundbreaking new study highlighted on Health.com suggests a critical disparity in how heart disease risk factors affect men and women. The research indicates that common risks like poor diet and high blood pressure have a more significant impact on women's cardiovascular health compared to men. This finding challenges the traditional "one-size-fits-all" approach to heart disease screening and risk assessment.

The article, penned by health and science journalist Kaitlin Sullivan and fact-checked by librarian and researcher Nick Blackmer, delves into the details of this compelling research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session. The study, which analyzed data from over 175,000 Canadians enrolled in the Ontario Health Study between 2009 and 2017, tracked participants without prior heart disease, noting their lifestyle habits (diet, sleep, exercise, nicotine use), blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and presence of high blood pressure or obesity. Researchers then followed these individuals for the development of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, other heart diseases, or death due to heart disease up to March 2023.

Interestingly, the study revealed that women, on average, tend to lead healthier lifestyles than men. For instance, a higher percentage of women reported eating an ideal diet (at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily) and having healthy blood pressure compared to men.

However, despite these healthier habits, the study found that when women did score poorly on risk factors, the association with developing cardiovascular disease was nearly twice as strong as in men.

This significant finding underscores the need for a more nuanced understanding of heart disease risk in women. As Dr. Maneesh Sud, the study’s lead author, stated, “It’s not one size fits all”. Dr. Rachel Bond, system director of women’s heart health at Dignity Health in Arizona, who was not involved in the research, emphasized that factors raising heart disease chances are often “frequently under-recognized and under-treated in women” and that women might receive less counseling on behavior changes.

The study's implications are profound. According to Dr. Kini, director of the Interventional Structural Heart Disease Program for the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York, while negative risk factors have a greater impact on women, healthy lifestyle factors can also have a "profound protective effect, especially in women". This highlights the critical importance of promoting and emphasizing healthy diets and regular exercise for women's heart health.

The researchers plan to further investigate the role of hormones and menopause in women’s heart disease risk. Previous studies, as noted by Dr. Bond, have indicated that women who smoke are more susceptible to heart disease than their male counterparts even with similar smoking habits.

The experts believe these findings likely extend beyond Canada, particularly to the United States, given the similar demographics and the societal factors that can impact women’s health. Dr. Bond suggested that women often prioritize the needs of others over their own health. Dr. Kini added that the fast-paced and often high-achieving culture in America can contribute to stress, leading to poor self-care habits like unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, and insufficient sleep.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, this important study underscores that while women may often engage in healthier behaviors, the impact of negative heart disease risk factors appears to be disproportionately higher for them. This necessitates a shift towards more individualized and nuanced approaches to heart health guidelines, screening, and counseling for women.

It also reinforces the powerful protective benefits of healthy lifestyle choices, perhaps even more so for women. This research serves as a vital reminder for both women and healthcare providers to prioritize and proactively address heart health risks in women.