Prevention & lipids

Discordance Between Perceived Risk and Cardiovascular Health in Women of Reproductive Age

JACC AdvPublished Cross-sectional study

Authors' conclusion

CVD and stroke risk underestimation is prevalent among women of reproductive age with marked racial and social disparities. Targeted, culturally sensitive risk communication strategies are needed to improve CVD and stroke risk perception accuracy.

Study context

Population
Women aged 18 to 50 years in the Baltimore/Washington DC areawomen (mean age 32.01 years)
Participants
139 women
Exposure
Discordance was defined by cross-classifying perceived risk relative to peers with LE8-defined cardiovascular health status
Outcome
Underestimation of CVD and stroke risk

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Underestimated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk

56.8%

Underestimated stroke risk

58.3%

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Predictors of CVD risk underestimation

OR (95% CI)
Racial/ethnic minority statusMultivariable model3.70 (1.58–8.68)
Medium polysocial riskMultivariable model2.72 (1.02–7.24)
Low cardiovascular health literacyMultivariable model5.91 (1.05–33.31)
Older reproductive age (≥32 years)Multivariable model2.26 (1.02–5.00)

Predictors of stroke risk underestimation

OR (95% CI)
Racial/ethnic minority statusMultivariable model3.29 (1.44–7.51)
Medium polysocial riskMultivariable model2.70 (1.04–7.02)

Original publication

Discordance Between Perceived Risk and Cardiovascular Health in Women of Reproductive Age. JACC Adv. Published 19 June 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.102862

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