When Risk is Unequal: Gendered Pathways to Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to represent the leading cause of mortality and poor health worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experiencing a disproportionate share of the burden. Mexico shows a complex interaction between epidemiological transition, social inequality, and clustered cardiometabolic risk. Data from the 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) in Mexico also revealed gender disparities in cardiovascular risk exposure, symptom perception, health-seeking behavior, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes. A higher prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, accompanied by delayed diagnosis and underrecognition of cardiovascular risk, was observed in Mexican women. Sociocultural norms, financial dependence, and structural barriers further limit timely access to prevention and care.

Despite advances in healthcare, diagnostic and treatment disparities continue to exist throughout the continuum of cardiovascular care worldwide, contributing to increased mortality. Conventional risk assessment models often fail to account for sex-specific factors, such as reproductive history and lifelong metabolic changes. Reducing these gaps requires redefining cardiovascular risk evaluation, adopting gender-sensitive screening approaches, ensuring equitable access to effective therapies, and implementing policies that address broader social determinants of health. The data from Mexico underscore the importance of developing integrated, gender-responsive cardiovascular care systems capable of lowering preventable deaths while promoting health equity in rapidly evolving societies.