New Study Reveals: Women’s Heart Health More Sensitive to Lifestyle Choices Than Men’s

Researchers analyzed data from more than 175,000 adults who participated in the Ontario Health Study from 2009 to 2017, with women constituting 60% of the participants.

Initially, no participant had been diagnosed with heart disease. The study focused on eight key cardiovascular risk factors:

• body mass index (BMI)
• blood pressure
• diet
• physical activity
• sleep
• smoking status
• blood glucose
• lipid levels

Participants were assessed based on these factors and were categorized into poor, intermediate, or ideal cardiovascular health profiles based on their risk factors.

Over an average follow-up period of just over 11 years, the study monitored major cardiovascular events such as:

• heart attacks
• strokes
• angina
• peripheral artery disease
• heart failure
• procedures to clear blocked arteries
• death from cardiovascular issues

The results indicated that women generally had better risk profiles than men, with 9.1% of women achieving an ideal score across all factors, compared to only 4.8% of men.

However, women with a higher accumulation of negative risk factors faced a substantially increased risk of severe cardiovascular events compared to men with similar profiles.

After age adjustment, both sexes with poor or intermediate health faced higher risks of heart disease, but the risk was significantly more pronounced in women.

The study underscores the need for further research to understand the biological and sociocultural factors influencing these sex differences in cardiovascular outcomes.

Future research will also consider the variability of risk factor effects across different racial and ethnic groups and among women before and after menopause.

While the study did not conclusively determine why there are sex-based differences in cardiovascular risk, Daniel Atkinson, MD, a clinical lead at Treated who was not involved in the study, offered some potential explanations.

He suggests that physiological differences between the sexes might play a role. Additionally, traditional methods of managing heart disease often overlook gender-specific differences, which could influence the findings.

Atkinson also noted that heart disease symptoms can vary between sexes and may change throughout a woman’s life due to hormonal fluctuations.

He mentioned that hormonal birth control, while not a direct cause of heart disease, could exacerbate existing cardiovascular risk factors by elevating blood pressure or cholesterol levels in some women.

Rohit Vuppuluri, DO, an interventional and vascular cardiologist, emphasizes that although men generally have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, it remains a leading cause of death among women.

He points out that heart disease in women is often underdiagnosed due to atypical symptoms. According to the American College of Cardiology, women are more likely than men to experience symptoms like nausea and breathlessness in addition to chest pain.

Vuppuluri stresses the importance of monitoring risk factors closely after menopause, when women’s risk of heart disease typically increases.

He advises women to regularly check their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose, and to actively manage their lifestyle to mitigate risks.

Jayne Morgan, MD, a cardiologist and vice president of medical affairs, underscores several lifestyle adjustments women should consider to enhance their cardiovascular health.

• Maintain an active lifestyle: Morgan emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity.
• Adhere to medical advice: She advises following medical instructions, particularly when it comes to taking prescribed medications for managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Regularly monitor blood pressure: Since high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, keeping it well-controlled is crucial.
• Build community connections: Engaging with a supportive community, especially with other women, can contribute to longevity and better health outcomes.

Morgan also highlights the increased risk of heart disease during perimenopause and advises women to consult their doctors about additional preventive measures.