Submission ID 131650
| Issue/Objective | Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among women globally, accounting for one-third (35%) of premature deaths. Four in five such CVD related deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries. Despite alarming global statistics, women's cardiovascular health in Nepal is under-prioritized as national policies are largely focused on reproductive health. This study supported by the UBC Office of Global Engagement (Seed Funding QFJQ GR033938), aims to convene researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers to examine the overlooked burden of women's cardiovascular disease in Nepal and to identify evidence-informed strategies that advance equity in women's health |
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| Methodology/Approach | We conducted a day-long roundtable discussion followed by a workshop on women's cardiovascular health in Nepal, August 2025. A total of 15 participants, including cardiovascular health researchers, healthcare providers, and policy makers shared their insights on unaddressed prevalence and trends of CVD among women in Nepal, geographical disparities, traditional and emerging risk factors, and systemic challenges. By the end of the discussion, participants also proposed solutions for improving women's heart health in Nepal. A thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software, with two researchers independently coding the transcript and collaboratively refining thematic framework. |
| Results | Findings revealed absence of sex-disaggregated data and limited research on female-specific risk factors and heart conditions in Nepal. Women's symptoms were frequently misattributed to stress or anxiety, resulting in delayed diagnosis and care, leading to delayed care. Participants emphasized the early onset and underdiagnosis of conditions such as acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, especially among adolescent girls as the major cause of CVD in women. Disparities between rural and urban areas were also apparent, with rural women identified as being at higher risk. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Caregiving burdens, rural-urban disparities, and misdiagnosis delay initiating cardiovascular care of women, compounded by limited sex-disaggregated data and policies restricted to reproductive health. Embedding women's cardiovascular health within existing NCD strategies, strengthening data systems, and scaling up early screening were the key strategies identified. This paper marks the first step in initiating dialogue and presenting diverse approaches to advance women's health through governance reform and policy innovation min Nepal |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Nikita Bhattarai Kathmandu Medical College Anmol P. Shrestha Kathmandu Medical College Natalia Oli Kathmandu Medical College Abhinav Vaidya Kathmandu Medical College Rubee Dev The University of British Columbia |
