Pakistani women face the highest death rate from ischaemic heart disease among five South Asian countries, with high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity identified as factors increasing their risk, health experts said on Monday.
On the eve of World Heart Day, cardiologists, gynaecologists and local industry leaders gathered at the Karachi Press Club to announce the launch of a nationwide campaign titled ‘Her Heart Matters’. The campaign was launched by PharmEvo in collaboration with the Pakistan Cardiac Society, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan, the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine, and Go Red for Women to promote screening, awareness and education for early detection and timely treatment of cardiovascular risks.
The experts said that a 2026 study published in JACC: Asia compared Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan using Global Burden of Disease estimates. The study found that Pakistan had the highest age-standardised death rate from ischaemic heart disease among women in the five countries in 2021.
Pakistan was also the only country studied where the ratio of deaths to estimated cases was higher among women than men, at 4.4 per cent compared with 3.1 per cent. High blood pressure and diets low in vegetables and fibre were identified as leading contributors to heart disease deaths among Pakistani women.
The experts, speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, said heart disease among women was often ignored due to misconceptions that it mainly affected men, inadequate screening and poor 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 needed attention before and during pregnancy, after childbirth and after menopause.
The campaign aims to address these gaps by promoting regular screening and follow-up care for women at every stage of life. Experts emphasised that early detection and timely treatment of cardiovascular risks could significantly reduce deaths from heart disease among Pakistani women.
The launch of ‘Her Heart Matters’ reflects growing concern over the burden of cardiovascular disease among women in Pakistan, where risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity remain widespread.
Source: Dawn News