Bloomberg Businessweek The Key to a Healthy Woman's Heart
Feb 27, 2026
Conversation centers on why heart disease is the leading killer of women and why rates are rising in younger females. They explore what counts as heart disease, from coronary problems to rhythm and structural issues. The discussion highlights pregnancy complications as unique risk factors. They also examine reasons women are underdiagnosed and what health metrics to track.
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Heart Disease Will Rise Dramatically In Women
- Heart disease is the leading killer of women and its burden is increasing.
- The American Heart Association projects six in ten women will have some degree of heart disease by 2050 driven by rising risk factors.
Heart Disease Is A Broad Umbrella Driven By Risk Factors
- Heart disease covers many conditions including coronary disease, rhythm problems, and structural or functional heart issues.
- Risk factor prevalence (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking) mainly drives the projected increase in women's heart disease.
Pregnancy Complications Signal Future Heart Risk
- Some risk factors are unique to women and often overlooked, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes.
- These pregnancy complications increase longer-term heart disease risk but may not be communicated or absorbed during postpartum care.