The state of US women’s heart health: A path to improved health and financial outcomes

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Closing the cardiovascular-disease gap between men and women could help women regain 1.6 million years of life lost because of poor health and early death, and boost the US economy by $28 billion annually by 2040.

By Luzy Perez and Megan Greenfield with the McKinsey Health Institute, and the American Heart Association.

At a glance

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women. Cardiovascular conditions in the United States make up at least a third of the women’s health gap because of inequities between women and men in care delivery, efficacy, and data availability.
  • Addressing heart health at every life stage can improve a woman’s quality of life and overall health. It could lead to at least 1.6 million years of higher-quality life and boost the US economy by $28 billion annually by 2040.
  • In the United States, Black women have a higher prevalence of and morbidity from CVD than non-Black women do.

Read the State of US Women’s Heart Health report (PDF).

View Understanding the Women's Heart Health Gap Infographic (PDF).

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors.

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Last Reviewed: Jun 25, 2024