Under-Recognized Threats for Cardio-Vascular Disease (CVD) and Health of Women

Abstract

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women globally weighing, substantially, and disproportionately compared to men. Common factors like high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, diabetes, poor diet, obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity have been acknowledged. New evidence indicates the existence of several lesser-known risk factors that specifically affect women’s cardiovascular health. This paper provides an analysis of these under-recognized risk factors, which include psychosocial variables, intimate partner violence (IPV), health literacy, poverty, unstable economic conditions, and socioeconomic and cultural issues. Through recognition and action on these often-overlooked factors influencing women’s cardiovascular health, the world community can improve women’s health more broadly. A systematic review of past twenty years existing literature which were selected from data base PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar was conducted to collect and analyze the relevant data.