This AHA scientific statement provided forecasts for cardiovascular disease and stroke prevalence in women through 2050, highlighting projected increases driven by aging, obesity, and diabetes, and informing prevention strategies targeting women's cardiovascular health.
BACKGROUND:Forecasts for the future prevalence of cardiovascular disease and stroke are crucial to guide efforts to improve health outcomes across the life course for women.METHODS:Using historical trends from the 2015 to 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015 to 2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, and census estimates for population growth, we estimated trends in prevalence through 2050 for cardiovascular risk factors based on suboptimal levels of Life’s Essential 8 and clinical cardiovascular disease and stroke, overall and by age and race and ethnicity.RESULTS:Among adult women overall, the prevalence of hypertension is estimated to increase from 48.6% in 2020 to 59.1% in 2050. Diabetes (14.9% to 25.3%) and obesity (43.9% to 61.2%) will increase, whereas hypercholesterolemia will decline (42.1% to 22.3%). Prevalences of suboptimal diet, inadequate physical activity, and smoking will decline over time, and inadequate sleep will increase. Prevalences of coronar
