Women’s Hearts Need Equal Care

25 years ago, heart disease was the leading cause of death for both men and women. Back then, our research showed that despite the same amount of plaque buildup in heart (coronary) arteries as men, women were vastly undertreated! Now, if you thought that the attention given to our research would have changed medical practices so that women with heart disease would be treated equally to men, think again!

Flash forward 25 years later, and guess what? “New” research continues to show that women are still not being diagnosed or treated as effectively as men, even when the same risk factors present. For example, a large international analysis found that health care providers accurately identified heart risk in only 1 of 5 women compared to 1 in 3 men. Another study found that hypertension in women continues to be under-recognized and undertreated, highlighting the need for more tailored screening and awareness.

Even when treatment begins, differences persist. A Dutch study of over 14,000 patients found that women were less likely than men to be prescribed proper doses of medication. Similarly, a 2025 Circulation statement from the American Heart Association revealed that women with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) are less likely to receive guideline-recommended care.

Prevention is another area where gender matters. According to a recent study presented at the American College of Cardiology Annual Meetings, lifestyle risks such as poor diet, inactivity, smoking, and high blood pressure affect women’s hearts more strongly than men’s. This means women benefit even more from early prevention—regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks, maintaining a healthy weight, and talking with their healthcare provider about personal heart risk. 

The good news is that women react as favorably to treatment as men. They just need to be treated effectively and symptoms need to be taken as seriously as their male counterparts. The overarching goal is to attain optimal numbers (see my last blog) to reduce their risk of heart disease.

Michael MIller, MD is a preventive cardiologist and author of “Heal Your Heart: The Positive Emotions Prescription to Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease”, published by Penguin Random House.