Global Perspective of Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Overall, one in three women die from CVD, and 45% of adult women have some form of CVD. Ischemic heart disease is the dominant cause of CVD mortality in women worldwide, followed by stroke. Over the past three decades, a decline in CVD mortality in women has been observed in many regions but remained unchanged in Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa and increased in Central Asia. Aging, ongoing urbanization, and differences in access to care and in socio-economic factors contribute to these regional variations. Uncontrolled metabolic risk factors (high blood pressure, high low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and obesity) are now the main drivers of CVD in women. Early detection and management of these risk factors and better attention to female-specific CVD risk factors remain paramount to reduce CVD morbidity and mortality in women. Furthermore, better understanding of how under-recognised risk factors like psychological and socio-cultural factors, socio-economic status, and health literacy contribute to CVD in women worldwide is spoken for. Integration of these factors in standard CVD risk assessment is necessary to improve CVD prevention in women.