A new long-term study reveals that men face a significantly increased risk of heart disease starting in their mid-30s, a crucial turning point that occurs years before a similar trend emerges in women. This finding underscores the need for earlier cardiovascular screening among men, potentially saving lives by enabling preventative care.
The Long-Term Study: Tracking Heart Disease Over Decades
Researchers from the US tracked the health of 5,112 individuals – all healthy between 18 and 30 at the study’s start in the mid-1980s – for an average of 34 years. This extended observation period allowed for a precise charting of cardiovascular disease development, including strokes and heart failure, over time.
The key discovery: age 35 marks the age at which the risk gap between men and women begins to widen. This is primarily driven by coronary heart disease (CHD), where arteries become blocked by fatty deposits, restricting blood flow. The study shows that men reach a 5% incidence of cardiovascular disease around age 50.5, seven years before women hit the same milestone at 57.5. For CHD specifically, men reach a 2% incidence rate a full decade earlier than women.
Why This Matters: Biological Differences and Preventative Care
While the exact reasons behind this disparity remain under investigation, differences in sex hormones and cholesterol levels likely play a role. The study accounted for common risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and weight, but the gap persisted, suggesting additional biological or behavioral factors are at play.
This finding is especially concerning given that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both sexes in the US. Women already tend to engage in more routine healthcare, while men may delay preventative check-ups. The study highlights an opportunity to improve men’s heart health by encouraging earlier assessment.
Future Implications and Remaining Questions
The current data focused on individuals under 65, leaving room for further research into the development of stroke and heart failure at older ages. The study’s findings reinforce previous observations about a 10-year difference in CHD risk but provide more recent data and broader analysis across various cardiovascular diseases.
“Encouraging preventive care visits among young men could be an important opportunity to improve heart health and lower cardiovascular disease risk,” says epidemiologist Alexa Freedman from Northwestern University.
Ultimately, the study suggests that earlier screening can identify risk factors sooner, allowing for interventions that mitigate long-term cardiovascular damage.
