Experts Warn of Rising Heart Disease Risk Among Pakistani Women

Experts have warned that Pakistani women face a higher risk of heart disease compared to women in five other South Asian countries. At a press conference in Karachi leading up to World Heart Day, cardiologists, physicians, and gynaecologists highlighted the increasing risk factors - high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and a lack of physical activity. These issues often go unnoticed due to misconceptions, inadequate screening, and poor follow-up care after childbirth.

Prof Dr Mansoor Ahmed, a cardiologist, emphasized that women frequently prioritize household responsibilities over their own health, and families also neglect their medical needs. The cardiologist also pointed out the rise of diabetes, which frequently coincides with cardiovascular disease. Dr Tazeen Abbas, secretary general of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan, stressed the importance of monitoring women's heart health during pregnancy, post-childbirth, and post-menopause.

She pointed out that women often discontinue prescribed medication during pregnancy and after childbirth, which can lead to complications.

Dr Tazeen Abbas also warned that high blood pressure detected during pregnancy can be overlooked after childbirth, even though the risk persists. Anaemia and closely spaced pregnancies can further burden women's health, making family planning and follow-up care crucial. Dr Halima Yasmeen, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist, reported that around four percent of pregnant women screened at her clinic were found to have heart disease.

She emphasized that pregnancy provides a valuable opportunity to detect high blood pressure and undiagnosed heart disease, requiring coordinated care from obstetricians, physicians, and cardiologists.

Dr Shabnam Naveed, head of medicine at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, highlighted the absence of screening as a significant barrier to prevention. She noted that over 90 percent of women attending her diabetes clinic had cardiovascular risk factors, underscoring the strong link between diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and heart disease.

Prof Dr Fawad Farooq, General Secretary of the Pakistan Cardiac Society, attributed cardiovascular disease to stress and criticized Pakistan's lack of an effective primary and secondary cardiovascular care network. He warned that some patients discontinue their medication after an angioplasty, increasing the risk of complications.

To prevent repeat heart attacks, Farooq stressed the need for stronger primary care, proper follow-up, and continued medication. The warning is corroborated by a 2026 study published in JACC: Asia, comparing heart disease death rates in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. The study revealed that Pakistan had the highest age-standardized death rate among women in 2021, and was the only country where women's mortality relative to estimated cases exceeded men's.