03/05/2026
6 in 10 US Women Projected to Have At Least
One Type of Cardiovascular Disease by 2050
Driven by rising rates in high bp
1 in 3 women will die from CVD
Additionally, >62 million women living with some type of CVD
Costing $200 billion annually
CVD - leading cause of death & #1 health risk overall
60% of women will have CVD - as opposed to 60% will have obesity - opposed to 44% now
Women of color have largest increases
Black women highest
>70% with high bp
>71% with obesity
28% with diabetes
Higher risk of CVD in Blacks linked to deficiency in NO - increased NOS SNPs
Increased oxidative stress & inflammation seen = uncoupled NOS
Blacks have CV issues 5X higher
Rates substantially climb among young women age 22-44
33% will have CVD - compared with 25% now
16% will have diabetes- compared with 6% now
33% will have high bp - increase of >11%
17% will have obesity - increase >18%
CV health risk of young girls age 2-19
32% will have obesity - increase >12%
Higher rates in blacks - 40% will be obese
By Beth Shirley, RPh, CCN
Ref: Medical Express - February 25, 2026
