Key Highlights
- OMRON Healthcare has released a new Women’s Heart Health Factbook focusing on cardiovascular risks in women.
- Around 32% of women aged 30-79 worldwide live with hypertension, yet only a small proportion achieve effective blood pressure control.
- Experts say menopause is a key turning point that can increase cardiovascular risk if blood pressure is not monitored regularly.
Marking the global focus on women’s health around International Women’s Day, OMRON Healthcare has released a new Women’s Heart Health Factbook aimed at raising awareness about the link between menopause, hypertension, and long-term cardiovascular disease risk.
The report highlights that hypertension remains a major but often under-recognised health challenge for women worldwide. According to the data presented in the factbook, an estimated 32% of women between the ages of 30 and 79 are living with high blood pressure globally.
However, diagnosis and treatment remain limited. Only 59% of women with hypertension are diagnosed, and just 23% manage to achieve effective blood pressure control, leaving the majority at increased risk of serious cardiovascular complications.
Heart Disease Continues to Be the Leading Cause of Death
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women worldwide, with conditions such as ischemic heart disease and stroke accounting for most fatalities.
Health experts note that cardiovascular risk often rises during and after menopause. As estrogen levels decline, changes in vascular function and blood pressure regulation can increase the likelihood of developing heart-related conditions.
Beyond menopause, women face several life-stage factors that may influence long-term cardiovascular health. These include pregnancy-related hypertension, hormonal contraceptive use, and other hormonal changes throughout life.
Because of these factors, healthcare professionals emphasize the importance of consistent blood pressure monitoring across different stages of a woman’s life.
Experts Call for Greater Awareness and Early Detection
Experts involved in the report say that cardiovascular disease in women has historically been underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Alta Schutte, Principal Theme Lead of Cardiac, Vascular and Metabolic Medicine at UNSW Sydney, noted that longstanding biases in medical research and clinical guidelines have contributed to the problem.
She explained that despite cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death among women globally, symptoms are often overlooked or misinterpreted.
Meanwhile, Karel Herberigs, Managing Director of OMRON Healthcare EMEA, described menopause as a major turning point for cardiovascular health.
He stressed that increased awareness and regular health monitoring could help address gaps in care and enable earlier intervention.
Archanna Mohangoo, Medical Marketing Manager for the EMEA region, added that symptoms such as fatigue, disrupted sleep, or heart palpitations are often attributed solely to menopause.
However, these symptoms may sometimes signal underlying conditions like hypertension or Atrial Fibrillation, which can significantly increase the risk of stroke and heart disease if left undetected.
Encouraging Preventive Care Across the Lifespan
The Women’s Heart Health Factbook aims to encourage both women and healthcare providers to pay closer attention to cardiovascular health during menopause and beyond.
By highlighting the global hypertension care gap and the importance of early detection, OMRON Healthcare hopes the report will support better prevention strategies and improve long-term heart health outcomes for women worldwide.
