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Updated: Feb 12, 2026
In Silico Clinical Trials for Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: May 27, 2022
Cardiovascular Disease Among Women From Vulnerable Populations: A Review
Sujane Kandasamy1, Sonia S Anand2
1Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) disproportionately affects vulnerable women. Targeted prevention programs and monitoring by healthcare workers are crucial for high-risk groups, including South Asian and indigenous women.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading global cause of mortality, particularly impacting women.
- CVD accounts for one-third of all female deaths annually, highlighting a critical public health issue.
- Policy development for noncommunicable diseases prioritizes CVD, yet vulnerable female populations are often overlooked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the disproportionate burden of CVD among vulnerable women.
- To identify specific risk factors and vulnerabilities in these populations.
- To advocate for tailored CVD prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of global mortality data concerning cardiovascular disease in women.
- Identification of social, economic, and demographic factors contributing to CVD risk.
- Analysis of existing policy development for noncommunicable diseases.
Main Results:
- Vulnerable women, including those with low socioeconomic status, South Asian or indigenous ancestry, and the elderly, face higher CVD risks.
- These risks are often compounded by factors like low control and high stress.
- Existing CVD prevention efforts have not adequately addressed these specific high-risk groups.
Conclusions:
- A multipronged approach is essential for CVD prevention in women.
- Rigorous monitoring of CVD risk factors in high-risk populations is vital.
- Timely, accurate, and contextually tailored prevention programs, supported by trained nonphysician healthcare workers, are needed to reach overlooked groups.
Abstract:
On a global scale, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality. It is also the number 1 cause of death among women, resulting in 8.6 million deaths annually and constituting one third of all deaths in women worldwide. The burden of CVD and related risk factors has taken priority in the policy development for noncommunicable diseases. However, vulnerable populations, defined here as women who are socially or economically disadvantaged (eg, low income), nonwhite (specifically South Asian and indigenous women), and those who are elderly have often been overlooked in these discussions. These additional vulnerabilities, which may exist independently or in combination, place such women at higher risk for CVD. Specifically, these vulnerabilities include low socioeconomic status, a low sense of control, high stress, South Asian or indigenous ancestry, and increased age. Thus it is vital that we initiate a multipronged approach to CVD prevention that includes rigorous monitoring of CVD risk factors in high-risk populations and the implementation of timely, accurate, and contextually tailored prevention programs, services, and treatments. Well-trained nonphysician health care workers can support the accurate monitoring and management of CVD and CVD risk factors so that groups of women who may otherwise be overlooked can receive adequate attention.
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