Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors in Women in Latin America and the Caribbean
Claudio T Mesquita1, Amalia Peix2, Diana I Rodríguez3
1Hospital Universitário Antonio Pedro-Ebeserh (UFF), Niterói, RJ - Brasil.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women in Latin America and the Caribbean. Addressing both traditional and female-specific risk factors is crucial for effective women
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular epidemiology
- Women's health
- Public health in Latin America and the Caribbean
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality for women in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), predominantly ischemic heart disease.
- Women's health programs in LAC have historically focused on cancer prevention, overlooking the significant burden of CVD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the burden of CVD and cardiovascular risk factors among women in LAC.
- To identify sex-related differences and regional disparities in CVD prevalence and risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of epidemiological data on CVD mortality and cardiovascular risk factors in LAC countries.
- Inclusion of behavioral, metabolic, and female-specific risk factors.
- Comparative analysis with selected non-LAC countries.
Main Results:
- Higher prevalence of sedentary lifestyle, dyslipidemia, elevated blood glucose, and overweight/obesity in LAC women; smoking more common in men.
- High prevalence of under-recognized female-specific risk factors (teenage pregnancy, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy), linked to socioeconomic factors.
- COVID-19 surpassed CVD as a leading cause of death in the Americas in 2021, exposing vulnerabilities in women with cardiometabolic risks. Significant regional variation in premature CVD mortality observed, with Haiti and Guyana showing highest rates.
Conclusions:
- CVD remains the leading cause of death for women in LAC, with significant regional disparities and a dual burden of traditional and female-specific risk factors.
- Urgent need for sex-specific, context-aware strategies integrating cardiovascular prevention into women's health policies.
- Shift from cancer-centric to comprehensive approaches is necessary for effective CVD management in women.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among women in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), with ischemic heart disease as the primary contributor. Despite this burden, women's health programs in the region have traditionally prioritized cancer prevention, often neglecting CVD.
Objective:
To analyze the burden of CVD and the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors among women in LAC, highlighting sex-related differences and regional disparities.
Methods:
This study analyzed epidemiological data on CVD mortality and cardiovascular risk factors across LAC countries, including behavioral, metabolic, and female-specific risk factors, and conducted comparisons with selected countries outside the region.
Results:
Women in LAC showed a higher prevalence of sedentary lifestyle, dyslipidemia, elevated fasting blood glucose, and overweight/obesity, whereas smoking was more frequent among men. Female-specific risk factors - such as teenage pregnancy, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy - were highly prevalent yet under-recognized, largely shaped by socioeconomic determinants. In 2021, COVID-19 temporarily surpassed ischemic heart disease and stroke as the leading cause of death in the Americas (176.7 deaths per 100,000 population), highlighting the vulnerability of women with underlying cardiometabolic risk. Premature CVD mortality varied widely, with the highest female probabilities of death between ages 30 and 70 observed in Haiti (21.9%) and Guyana (15.2%), associated with poorly controlled hypertension and elevated cholesterol, respectively. In contrast, Canada showed the lowest premature mortality (1.7%), reflecting stronger healthcare systems and lower prevalence of metabolic risk factors.
Conclusion:
CVD remains the leading cause of mortality among women in LAC, marked by substantial regional disparities and a significant burden of both traditional and female-specific risk factors. These findings highlight the urgent need for sex-specific, context-sensitive strategies that integrate cardiovascular prevention into comprehensive women's health policies, moving beyond cancer-centered approaches.
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