Women with Autoimmune Diseases Face Higher Cardiovascular Death Risk Than Men

Recent research highlights a concerning trend: women suffering from common autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or systemic sclerosis are at a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to men with the same conditions. Published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, the study analyzed data from the CDC WONDER database, covering over two decades of patient records from 1999 to 2020.

Autoimmune diseases involve chronic inflammation caused by the immune system attacking the body's tissues. These conditions, including Crohn's disease, psoriasis, asthma, and multiple sclerosis, are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. About 8% of the U.S. population, roughly 27 million people, are affected by various autoimmune disorders.

The study found that despite a decline in overall cardiovascular death rates—from 3.9 to 2.1 per 100,000 women and from 1.7 to 1.2 per 100,000 men—women persistently experience higher mortality rates. Key causes of death were stroke and coronary artery disease, with women also more likely to die from irregular heart rhythms or cardiac arrest.

Particularly, women with rheumatoid arthritis showed the highest cardiovascular death rates, with 1.8 deaths per 100,000 women compared to 0.6 in men. Lupus and systemic sclerosis also contributed to cardiovascular fatalities, although data for the latter was limited.

Experts emphasize the importance of early cardiovascular risk screening and intervention, especially upon diagnosis of autoimmune conditions. As Dr. Heba Wassif from the Cleveland Clinic states, understanding the gender disparities in cardiovascular risk is critical to improving outcomes. The study underscores a need for targeted prevention strategies and further research to understand the underlying causes of these disparities.

Overall, the findings reveal that cardiovascular disease remains a major health threat for women with autoimmune diseases—a burden often overlooked in clinical settings. Addressing these risks through vigilant screening and tailored treatment could help reduce mortality and improve quality of life for this vulnerable population.