A Life Times report dated 11 November 2026, by journalist Niu Yulei, says preventing heart disease does not look the same for men and women. A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, covering participants from 13 countries in Central Europe, found that about 6.71 million people had ischemic heart disease in 2023. The number of women affected was slightly lower than the number of men. Excess deaths among women were more often linked to high blood pressure and lack of physical activity; among men, they were more often attributed to smoking.
Guo Yifang, vice president of Hebei Provincial People’s Hospital and chief physician of geriatric cardiology, told Life Times that the most common form of ischemic heart disease is coronary heart disease. It is caused mainly by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle from coronary atherosclerosis. Left unchecked, it can lead to myocardial infarction, which he described as the most deadly acute presentation of coronary heart disease.
Typical angina, he said, may feel like crushing chest pain that can spread to the shoulder, arm, jaw or back. Some people have only shortness of breath, nausea or cold sweats. Women and people with diabetes are more likely to have atypical symptoms, such as unexplained fatigue, discomfort in the upper abdomen, or a “silent” myocardial infarction. Without timely, standardized care, the condition can lead to sudden death.
Guo said the differences in risk factors between men and women reported in the new study are basically consistent with the situation in China. His comments below are about patterns in China; the Life Times article does not present them as results of the Central European study.
Factors he linked more often to men’s habits
- Smoking is a prominent harm. The smoking rate among men in China has long stayed relatively high. Nicotine, tar and other substances in tobacco can damage the lining of blood vessels and speed the formation and progression of atherosclerotic plaque. A longer smoking history and a larger amount smoked each day are associated with earlier onset of heart disease.
- Strongly flavoured diets. Men in China more often prefer heavy flavours, and sodium intake has long been above the standard. High-salt food can raise blood pressure and impair the function of the blood-vessel lining, accelerating atherosclerosis, and is an important trigger of ischemic heart disease.
- Staple foods that are too refined, too little whole grain, and relatively high intake of processed meat can also add to cardiovascular risk.
- Many men assume they are physically strong and skip check-ups, which can mean missing early warning signs of cardiovascular disease.
Where he said women’s risk differs
Guo said women’s vulnerabilities centre on metabolic disturbance and environmental exposure, together with too little exercise and an unbalanced diet.
Visceral fat in women is relatively more likely to build up, which can worsen insulin resistance, damage the blood-vessel lining and speed atherosclerosis. After menopause, the cardiovascular protection linked to oestrogen fades, and metabolic measures can fluctuate more easily.
On air pollution, a study published in 2024 — which the Life Times article does not name — found that for every increase of 10 micrograms per cubic metre in PM2.5, participants’ risk of cardiometabolic comorbidity rose by 17.9%. Among women the rise was 20.2%, higher than among men.
Women’s overall level of physical activity is lower than men’s, which further raises cardiovascular risk, he said.
Four lines of defence described for everyone
The report says everyone should keep four protections in place:
- Stay away from tobacco and alcohol, control body weight, and eat less food that is high in salt or oil.
- Regularly monitor and strictly control blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids, described as core drivers of atherosclerosis. People with high blood pressure, high blood glucose or high blood lipids should take medication as directed by a doctor.
- Adults should complete 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, such as brisk walking, cycling or climbing stairs.
- Manage psychological stress in good time and get enough sleep.
Guo added that men in particular should quit smoking as early as possible and have regular check-ups. Women, he said, should start regular checks of blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids and weight from age 40, and after menopause should have metabolic measures rechecked somewhat more often. When air pollution is severe, he suggested going out less; people who are in a position to do so may use an air purifier.
These are general points reported from the clinician and the studies cited by Life Times. They are not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for any individual.
Original article: https://www.lifetimes.cn/article/4Typ7fa2YEk