Cardiovascular Risk Profile Among Reproductive-Aged Women in the U.S.: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2015–2020

Introduction

Suboptimal cardiovascular health is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term cardiovascular risk. The authors examined trends in cardiovascular risk factors and correlates of suboptimal cardiovascular risk profiles among reproductive-aged U.S. women.

Methods

With data from 335,959 women in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2015–2020), the authors conducted serial cross-sectional analysis among nonpregnant reproductive-aged women (18–44 years) without cardiovascular disease who self-reported information on 8 cardiovascular risk factors selected on the basis of Life's Essential 8 metrics. The authors estimated the prevalence of each risk factor and suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile (≥2 risk factors) and examined trends overall and by age and race/ethnicity. Using multivariable Poisson regression, the authors assessed the sociodemographic correlates of suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile.

Results

The weighted prevalence of women aged <35 years was approximately 64% in each survey year. The prevalence of suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile increased modestly from 72.4% (71.6%–73.3%) in 2015 to 75.9% (75.0%–76.7%) in 2019 (p<0.001). This increase was mainly driven by increases in overweight/obesity (53.1%–58.4%; p<0.001). Between 2015 and 2019, significant increases in suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile were observed among non-Hispanic White (69.8%–72.6%; p<0.001) and Hispanic (75.1%–80.3%; p<0.001) women but not among non-Hispanic Black (82.7%–83.7%; p=0.48) or Asian (68.1%–73.2%; p=0.09) women. Older age, rural residence, and non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic race and ethnicity were associated with a higher prevalence of suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile.

Conclusions

There has been a modest but significant increase in suboptimal cardiovascular risk profile among U.S. women of reproductive age. Urgent preventive efforts are needed to reverse this trend and improve cardiovascular health, particularly among subgroups at increased risk, to mitigate its implications.