Women Face Higher Heart Disease Risks, and a Plant-Based Diet May Help, Studies Find

New research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) highlights how a plant-based diet can significantly lower the risk of death for those with cardiometabolic disorders, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Studies show that following a healthy plant-based diet can reduce the risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality among individuals with these conditions. Additionally, lifestyle factors impact women’s heart health more severely than men’s, with women experiencing nearly five times the risk of heart disease compared to men with poor health profiles.

A plant-based diet offers several benefits that directly counteract key cardiovascular risks, including lower blood pressure, better cholesterol levels, improved blood sugar control, and reduced inflammation. For women facing elevated cardiovascular risks, adopting a plant-based approach may offer protection beyond traditional heart disease prevention strategies. Making dietary changes to incorporate more plant-based foods could be particularly impactful for women at risk of cardiovascular disease.