Study Finds Pakistani Women Have Highest Heart Disease Death Rate in South Asia
Pakistani women recorded the highest age-standardised death rate from ischaemic heart disease among five South Asian countries in 2021, according to a 2026 study published in JACC: Asia.
The research compared health data from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study.
Health experts shared the findings in Karachi on Monday as part of a campaign aimed at improving awareness, screening and early treatment of cardiovascular disease among women.
High Blood Pressure and Diabetes Among Major Risks
Experts said several factors are contributing to the cardiovascular disease burden among Pakistani women.
These include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Diets low in vegetables and fibre
According to the study, Pakistan was the only country in the comparison where the ratio of deaths to estimated cases was higher among women than men. The reported ratio was 4.4% for women compared with 3.1% for men.
Women’s Heart Health Often Overlooked
Doctors at the event said heart disease in women can be overlooked because of the longstanding perception that cardiovascular problems primarily affect men.
They also highlighted gaps in screening and follow-up during pregnancy, after childbirth and after menopause.
Prof Dr Tazeen Abbas, secretary general of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan, said women’s heart health should be monitored throughout these stages.
She advised women not to stop prescribed medicines during pregnancy or discontinue blood-pressure treatment after childbirth without consulting their doctors.
She also pointed to pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle can become weak around pregnancy, saying timely diagnosis and treatment are important.
Heart Problems Found During Pregnancy
Prof Dr Halima Yasmeen, chairperson and head of department at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), said heart disease had been identified in about 4% of pregnant women screened at her clinic.
Prof Dr Shabnam Naveed, head of medicine at JPMC and Jinnah Sindh Medical University, said more than 90% of women visiting the hospital’s diabetes clinic had at least one cardiovascular risk factor.
She noted that the group represented patients at a high-risk hospital, but said the figures demonstrated the close relationship between diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and heart disease.
Doctors Call for Better Follow-Up
Prof Dr Fawad Farooq, general secretary of the Pakistan Cardiac Society, identified stress and physical inactivity as additional concerns.
He encouraged women to incorporate walking and other forms of physical activity into their daily routines where possible.
Dr Farooq also said Pakistan needed stronger primary and secondary cardiovascular care, as specialised cardiac hospitals were handling large numbers of patients with chest pain and heart attacks.
He stressed the importance of continuing prescribed medicines after procedures such as angioplasty and maintaining regular medical follow-up to reduce the risk of further complications.
Diabetes Adds to Cardiovascular Risk
Dr Mansoor Ahmed, Professor of Cardiology at the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases, said the belief that women were less likely to develop heart disease was not supported by medical evidence.
He said women can face cardiovascular risks similar to men, while household responsibilities may sometimes lead them to delay seeking medical care.
The doctor also highlighted the growing prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan, noting its frequent association with high blood pressure, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Experts at the event urged women with diabetes, hypertension or obesity to undergo appropriate medical screening so that potential heart problems can be detected before serious complications occur.
Nationwide Awareness Campaign Launched
The remarks were made during the launch of the “Her Heart Matters” campaign at the Karachi Press Club ahead of World Heart Day.
The initiative was launched by PharmEvo in collaboration with the Pakistan Cardiac Society, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan, Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine and Go Red for Women.
