Women’s Heart Health Linked to Perceived Social Status

McGill research reveals that women who perceive themselves as lower in social status face greater risks of heart disease.

Image: Alex Shuper, Unsplash

A new McGill University study reveals that a woman’s perceived social standing is closely tied to her risk of developing heart disease, while men appear unaffected by the same factor.

Researchers surveyed over 7,000 Canadian adults and found that women who rated themselves lower on the social ladder were more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. This effect held true even after accounting for actual income, education, and other health variables.

The study’s authors highlight the importance of understanding how social perceptions (not only financial or educational status) can shape women’s health outcomes and emphasize the need for targeted prevention strategies.

“The findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk in women should consider not only objective indicators of socioeconomic status, but also how women perceive their place in the social hierarchy.”

— Dr. Norbert Schmitz, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University

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