The projected prevalence of cardiovascular disease in adult women is set to rise from about 10.7% in 2020 to 14.4% by 2050, with coronary heart disease climbing from 6.9% to 8.2%, heart failure from 2.5% to 3.6%, stroke from 4.1% to 6.7%, and atrial fibrillation from 1.6% to 2.3%.

Diabetes is expected to grow by roughly 10% and obesity by about 17% by 2050, with obesity increasing sharply among girls aged two to 19 from 19.6% to 32%.

High blood pressure is projected to rise substantially, with nearly 60% of women predicted to have hypertension by 2050, up from about 50% in 2020, fueling broader risk across heart conditions.

The projections underscore the need for stronger prevention and policy measures, with GLP-1 drugs highlighted as a potential mitigating factor, though their long-term impact remains unclear.

While some risks like smoking may decline and sleep problems rise, preventive actions—regular checkups, medication adherence, and healthy lifestyle changes—remain crucial, especially around pregnancy and menopause.

Experts frame cardiovascular disease as a life-course issue, noting risk factors can begin in childhood and that hormonal changes across menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause may influence risk.

The findings are a call to action to rethink prevention and early detection to curb the rising burden of cardiovascular disease in women.

Authors caution that despite advances in treatment, prevention has not kept pace, contributing to the rising projections for women’s heart disease and related conditions.

The report notes potential influence of GLP-1 weight-loss and Type 2 diabetes medications on future risk, but emphasizes uncertainty about long-term effects, affordability, and access, which could affect disparities.

Disparities amplify risk: Black women already face higher rates of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes and are expected to see the greatest increases in heart failure and stroke, worsened by limited access to care in underserved areas.

Disparities are likely to be more pronounced among Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and multiracial women, highlighting unequal impacts of cardiovascular risk factors.

Key drivers include aging, higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, converging to raise cardiovascular risk across all ages, including women 20–40.