Disparities in ASCVD Affecting Women: A Heartfelt Look at Equity in 2025
Published: April 14th, 2025
by Garcia Family Medicine
At Garcia Family Medicine, we see you—the mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who carry the weight of life’s demands, often quietly. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)—a condition where arteries harden and narrow, leading to heart attacks, strokes, and more—touches too many women’s lives. But it doesn’t touch us all the same way. In 2025, we’re heartbroken by the disparities that leave some women more vulnerable, yet hopeful that together, we can change this story. If your heart feels heavy—physically or emotionally—please call us at 816-427-5320. You’re not alone.
What Is ASCVD, and Why Does It Matter?
ASCVD happens when plaque builds up in arteries, silently stealing blood flow from the heart or brain. It’s a leading cause of death, and for women, it’s personal. The American Heart Association (AHA) tells us that 44% of U.S. women—nearly 60 million—live with cardiovascular disease, including ASCVD. But behind these numbers are real lives, and the truth is, some women face steeper odds simply because of who they are or where they come from. At Garcia Family Medicine, we feel the urgency to listen, understand, and act.
The Unequal Burden on Women
Every woman’s heart deserves care, but ASCVD doesn’t play fair. Women often experience it differently than men—less chest pain, more exhaustion, breathlessness, or nausea. A 2019 Circulation study found that women are 50% more likely to have these subtle signs, which can slip by unnoticed. Add in life’s transitions like menopause, and the risk grows. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) reported in 2022 that women over 55 face a 50% higher chance of dying from a heart attack than men their age, often because help comes too late.
But the story deepens when we look at race, income, and access. These disparities aren’t just statistics—they’re about real women, and we ache for the unfairness they reveal.
The Numbers That Break Our Hearts
Here’s what the data shows about ASCVD disparities in women:
Widespread Impact: The AHA (2023) says 1 in 3 women die from cardiovascular disease, including ASCVD—over 400,000 lives lost yearly.
Racial Pain: Black women are 60% more likely to die from ASCVD than White women (CDC, 2023).
Global Grief: The Lancet (2021) found cardiovascular disease takes 35% of women’s lives worldwide, hitting hardest in poorer regions.
Young Lives Cut Short: ASCVD deaths among women aged 35-54 have risen 3% yearly since 2010, especially in minorities (JACC, 2020).
Missed Signs: Women are 20% less likely to get a timely ASCVD diagnosis (Circulation, 2019).
Treatment Gaps: Black women are 30% less likely to receive stents or surgery (Circulation, 2021).
Poverty’s Toll: Low-income women have a 50% higher ASCVD risk (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2018).
Diabetes Weight: Diabetic women face a 44% higher ASCVD risk than diabetic men (Diabetologia, 2016).
Stroke’s Shadow: Black women have twice the stroke rate from ASCVD as White women (Stroke, 2020).
Care Denied: Only 38% of uninsured women get preventive ASCVD screening (Health Affairs, 2022).
These numbers hurt because they represent women who might feel invisible. At Garcia Family Medicine, we see you, and we’re here to help.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities: A Heavy Load
For Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous women, ASCVD carries an extra burden. The CDC (2023) shares that Black women face a 1.6 times higher ASCVD death rate than White women, tied to higher rates of hypertension (60% vs. 43%) and diabetes (13% vs. 7%). We feel the weight of this—years of stress, limited resources, and systemic barriers piling up. Hispanic women, though sometimes at lower overall risk, often lack insurance or language support—only 56% have regular care (Health Affairs, 2022). Indigenous women, too, suffer ASCVD death rates 20% above average (AHA, 2023), isolated by rural healthcare gaps.
These aren’t just facts; they’re stories of resilience against odds we wish didn’t exist. Call us at 816-427-5320 if you’re carrying this load—we’ll lift it with you.
The Cost of Socioeconomic Struggles
Money shouldn’t dictate heart health, but it does. Women in poverty face a 50% higher ASCVD risk (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2018), often because healthy food, safe places to exercise, or doctor visits feel out of reach. Uninsured women—62% of whom miss cholesterol checks (Health Affairs, 2022)—tell us they feel trapped. We understand the exhaustion of making ends meet while worrying about your heart. At Garcia Family Medicine, we’re here to ease that burden.
Women’s Unique Vulnerabilities
Life’s chapters add layers to ASCVD risk. Preeclampsia or gestational diabetes triples future odds (Heart, Lung and Circulation, 2021), yet too many women never hear this after delivery. Menopause doubles the danger as estrogen fades (Circulation, 2018), and stress—felt deeply by women—raises risk by 30% (Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 2024). These moments can feel isolating, especially if you’re already stretched thin. We’re here to hold space for you.
Barriers That Sting
Getting help shouldn’t be a battle, but for many women, it is. Black women are 30% less likely to get treatments like stents (Circulation, 2021), and younger women under 50 with heart attacks face twice the mortality of men (Korean Circulation Journal, 2016), often because their pain is dismissed as “anxiety.” Microvascular disease, affecting 50% of women with ASCVD symptoms (Circulation Research, 2016), hides from standard tests, leaving women unheard.
We feel the frustration and fear this causes. At Garcia Family Medicine, we promise to listen—call us at 816-427-5320 if you’ve been brushed off.
A Gentle Path Forward
These disparities break our hearts, but they don’t break our hope. Here’s what you can do:
Listen to Your Body: Subtle signs matter. If you’re tired or breathless, don’t ignore it.
Small Steps: A 2018 Circulation study says 30 minutes of walking cuts ASCVD risk by 19%. Start where you can.
Reach Out: You don’t have to fight alone. Call us at 816-427-5320—we’ll walk with you.
We also need bigger change—more research, fairer care, and community support. But right now, your health is what we can hold onto together.
Garcia Family Medicine: A Safe Place for Your Heart
We’re more than a clinic—we’re a family that cares. We offer:
Heart screenings that see the whole you
Care plans honoring your life, culture, and needs
Affordable options so money isn’t a wall
A team that feels your struggles and fights for your strength
In 2025, we’re here for every woman—Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, low-income, or just feeling lost. Call us at 816-427-5320. You’re not a statistic; you’re our priority.
A Whisper of Hope
ASCVD’s disparities are real, and they hurt. With 1 in 4 women’s deaths tied to cardiovascular disease (AHA, 2023), we can’t look away. But we also see your resilience—the way you keep going despite it all. At Garcia Family Medicine, we’re here to honor that strength and lighten your load. Pick up the phone—816-427-5320—and let us care for your heart. You deserve to feel seen, safe, and strong.
Stay safe and informed,
Garcia Family Medicine
References
American Heart Association (2023). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2023 Update.
CDC (2023). Racial Disparities in Heart Disease Among Women.
The Lancet (2021). Women and Cardiovascular Disease: Global Burden.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2020). ASCVD in Young Women: Trends.
Circulation (2019). Gender Differences in ASCVD Diagnosis.
Circulation (2021). Racial Disparities in ASCVD Treatment.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2018). Socioeconomic Status and ASCVD Risk.
Diabetologia (2016). Diabetes and ASCVD in Women vs. Men.
Stroke (2020). Racial Disparities in Stroke Among Women.
Health Affairs (2022). Access to Preventive Care Among Uninsured Women.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. Consult a doctor for medical advice. Call Garcia Family Medicine at 816-427-5320 for personalized care.
