Heart disease is emerging as a serious health concern for Pakistani women, with experts urging greater attention to prevention and screening.
Health professionals warned that high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity are increasing cardiovascular risks among women. They also highlighted misconceptions, limited screening and weak follow-up after pregnancy and childbirth.
Their concerns coincide with a 2026 study in JACC: Asia, which examined Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. The study found that Pakistan recorded the highest age-standardised death rate from ischaemic heart disease among women in 2021.
Why Heart Disease Risks Are Rising Among Women
Cardiologists, physicians and gynaecologists said women often overlook their own health while managing household responsibilities.
Prof Dr Mansoor Ahmed of the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases said the belief that women do not develop heart disease has been disproven.
He also highlighted limited physical activity as another concern. According to him, diabetes has become a major public health problem in Pakistan and often occurs alongside cardiovascular disease.
Therefore, he urged women with diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity to undergo regular health screening.
Pregnancy and Menopause Also Need Attention
Prof Dr Tazeen Abbas, secretary general of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan, stressed the importance of monitoring heart health during pregnancy.
She also highlighted the need for continued care after childbirth and during menopause. According to her, some women stop prescribed medicines during pregnancy or discontinue blood pressure treatment after delivery.
She advised women to consult doctors about adjusting medicines instead of stopping treatment independently.
Moreover, high blood pressure detected during pregnancy can remain a concern after childbirth. She also warned that pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy can become serious without timely diagnosis and treatment.
Anaemia and closely spaced pregnancies can further affect women’s health. Therefore, she stressed family planning, birth spacing and appropriate follow-up care.
Diet and Physical Activity Matter
Prof Dr Tazeen Abbas also advised women to exercise regularly and reduce their intake of bakery products, fried foods, soft drinks and sugary juices.
The JACC: Asia study also identified high systolic blood pressure and low vegetable and fibre intake among important contributors to heart disease deaths among Pakistani women.
The research found that Pakistan was also the only country studied where the mortality-to-prevalence ratio was higher among women than men in 2021. The figures were 4.4% for women and 3.1% for men.
Pregnancy Can Help Detect Hidden Heart Problems
Senior obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Halima Yasmeen said heart disease had been detected in around four percent of pregnant women screened at her clinical service.
She described pregnancy as an important opportunity to identify high blood pressure and previously undiagnosed heart disease.
Such patients, she said, require coordinated care involving obstetricians, physicians and cardiologists.
Meanwhile, Prof Dr Shabnam Naveed of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Jinnah Sindh Medical University highlighted limited screening as a major barrier to prevention.
She said cardiovascular risk factors were present in more than 90% of women attending the diabetes clinic at JPMC. This finding highlights the close connection between diabetes, hypertension, obesity and heart disease.
Experts Call for Stronger Follow-Up Care
Pakistan Cardiac Society General Secretary Prof Dr Fawad Farooq identified stress as another contributor to cardiovascular disease.
He said Pakistan lacks an effective primary and secondary cardiovascular care network. Consequently, specialised hospitals receive large numbers of patients with heart attacks and chest pain.
He also warned that some patients stop taking prescribed medicines soon after angioplasty. According to him, stronger primary care, proper follow-up and continued medication can help prevent repeat heart attacks.
Campaign Focuses on Women’s Heart Health
PharmEvo Director Marketing Samar Iqbal said the Discovering Diabetes and Discovering Hypertension initiatives are helping identify people unaware of their conditions.
He said the campaign is now focusing on women’s heart health. The initiative is also bringing medical societies together to promote screening, prevention and timely treatment.
The health experts’ warning highlights the need for women to pay greater attention to cardiovascular risk factors. Meanwhile, the latest regional research shows that Pakistani women face a particularly serious burden from ischaemic heart disease.
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