Most women don’t think of heart disease and stroke as their greatest health risk. Yet they remain the leading cause of premature death among women in Canada. In my work advancing women’s heart and brain health, I’ve witnessed firsthand how gaps in understanding can mean important signs aren’t picked up in time.
I see this play out repeatedly. Many of us move through life stages without clear insight into our risk for heart disease and stroke, assuming these conditions are something to worry about later, or not at all.
What we don’t know is hurting women. Only 11 per cent of women in Canada can name one or more of women’s specific risk factors for heart disease and stroke. But awareness alone isn’t the issue. Access to information, timely care and the ability to prioritize one’s own health all influence whether a woman can understand and manage what puts her at risk.
The reality is this: women face a distinct and evolving set of risk factors that can begin – or intensify – at different points across the life course, including during pregnancy and menopause.
Risk builds over time
A woman’s risk of heart disease and stroke is shaped by a complex web of interacting factors. Some risk factors are related to modifiable, lifestyle‑related behaviours, while others are linked to medical conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and high cholesterol. Genetics and age also come into play as non‑modifiable factors.
Risk is not distributed equally. In Canada, certain racialized groups, including Black Canadians and those of South Asian descent, face a greater burden of risk factors for heart disease and stroke. For Indigenous peoples, settler colonialism has created conditions that have led to wide disparities in health outcomes. And intersecting inequities can further compound risk for some women.
When women understand their individual risk profile – and how it changes over time – they are better equipped to interpret early flags and take action.
Women’s risk changes across life stages
Historically, two-thirds of clinical research on heart disease and stroke has focused on men, affecting how women’s risks are understood, recognized and treated. The ‘classic’ heart attack symptoms we’re taught to watch for – tightness in the chest or pain and weakness in the left arm – may not necessarily reflect how cardiovascular conditions appear for women. This research gap has real consequences.
Throughout the reproductive years, hormonal contraceptives, fertility treatments and pregnancy‑related conditions, including gestational diabetes and eclampsia, can increase a woman’s long‑term risk. Later in life, as women transition through menopause, declining estrogen levels increase the risk of heart disease and stroke as the cardiovascular system adapts.
Additional factors also influence heart and brain health, some of which are unique to women or impact women differently. These can be linked to conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, breast cancer treatments and chronic kidney disease.
Taken together, these realities help explain why women’s heart and brain health risks can be overlooked, and why identifying and managing risk still matters.
Practical but powerful steps to protect your heart and brain health
Everyday habits remain among the most effective ways to reduce lifestyle-related risk and help manage certain conditions linked to heart disease and stroke – and they don’t have to be perfect to make a difference.
- Eat well. Focus on a healthy, balanced diet that emphasizes vegetables and fruit, includes protein and whole grains and limits highly processed foods. This can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Move more. Staying active is vital. Small bouts of movement, like walking or taking the stairs, can make a big difference.
- Prioritize sleep. Quality rest helps regulate blood pressure, metabolism and stress hormones. Consistent routines and less screen time before bed can improve sleep.
- Manage stress. Stress strains your heart and raises blood pressure. Identifying triggers and trying calming techniques like deep breathing can help regulate stress.
- Be smoke-free. Quitting tobacco greatly lowers your risk and protects those around you. Consider talking to your healthcare provider – help is available when you’re ready.
As our understanding of women’s heart and brain health continues to evolve, I also encourage women to take advantage of free health resources available to them. The Heart & Stroke Risk Screen tool helps women understand their heart and brain health risks by considering factors such as lifestyle, medical history and age, and meets them where they are with accessible, evidence-based information.
When women’s risks for heart disease and stroke are identified and managed earlier, outcomes are better – not just for women, but for everyone.
Know your risks. Visit heartandstroke.ca/riskscreen.
Dr. Christine Faubert
