March is recognized as Women’s Month, since March 8 marks International Women’s Day. Many organizations take the opportunity to reward and highlight women in their communities, but beyond that, this month can also be a time for women to raise awareness about their heart health.
And according to projections described in a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, over the next 25 years, the number of women with cardiovascular diseases is expected to rise considerably, as nearly 60% of women in the U.S. could have high blood pressure by 2050, compared with an estimated about 5 in 10 women in 2020.
Almost a third of women aged 22 to 44 will have some form of cardiovascular disease, compared with less than 1 in 4 currently.
The rise in cardiovascular disease will also be driven by increases in other health risk factors, such as diabetes and obesity.
This trend will even affect younger generations, with estimates that about 32% of girls aged 2 to 19 could be obese by 2050.
The report’s findings indicate significant increases among women for all types of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and heart attack or stroke. Increases are also projected among women in many of the major health risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
That is why the American Heart Association urges women this month to begin with a habit of healthy behaviors with the aim of preventing health problems before they begin; it is one of the best ways to protect cardiovascular health. They state that healthy choices should be promoted in the environments where people learn, live, and receive care, such as schools, community centers, pediatric clinics, and gynecological offices. When useful, digital tools can be used to foster and reinforce positive lifestyle changes.
The volunteer chair of the American Heart Association’s scientific statement writing group, Karen E. Joynt Maddox, notes that, according to statistics, one in three women will die from cardiovascular diseases: it could be your grandmother, your mother, or your daughter. And that, in turn, more than 62 million women in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease, which implies a cost of at least two hundred billion dollars annually. And that the organization’s estimates indicate that, if we continue on this path, these figures will rise considerably in the next 25 to 30 years.
So, this month besides applauding women for their achievements and goals met, we must ensure that we encourage those around us to take care of their health. Since the statistics stated in this report can be changed through prevention and medical care.
It is everyone’s job to look after the women around us in various ways, and health is paramount.
