Why Do Men Develop Heart Disease Earlier? New Study Reveals a Seven-Year Gap

A large analysis of the CARDIA study followed more than 5,000 adults for up to 30 years and found that men develop cardiovascular disease about seven years earlier than women, with the biggest gap in coronary heart disease (roughly a decade earlier). Stroke and heart failure occur at similar ages between sexes. The gap persists even after adjusting for common risk factors, suggesting additional biological or social factors may contribute. The findings support earlier heart-health screening for men in their 30s while recognizing that women's risk remains high, especially after menopause, and the study has limitations inherent to observational research.