Stereotypes of Heart Disease: Tracing the Patterns

Whether or not one agrees with stereotypes generally, they exist for a reason. In my 30+ years of experience with CVD (cardiovascular disease), I have run into several examples of them related to the illness. Although it may be due to stereotypes and a lack of cultural understanding, this is a reason, but not an excuse, for such behavior. Therefore, to understand the behavioral responses to the illness, one must understand the stereotypes and the fears surrounding CVD. Two primary stereotypes I have encountered include how, firstly, people with CVD are assumed to be older, and secondly, that CVD means that death is just around the corner. But why do such ideas exist, and are they accurate?

Before I continue, I would like to reiterate that I am talking about stereotypes in the medical context, not for class or race, or any broader social issues. Because of this, one could argue that it is even more nuanced, as each person’s medical experience is unique but can be defined and understood through the lens of medical science and biological understanding.

However, I believe that treating CVD, the person afflicted by it, under the assumption of a stereotype due to a lack of more detailed information is the problem. As such, according to the article: Stereotype Accuracy: A Displeasing Truth by Noam Shpancer, Ph.D., “decades of research have shown that stereotypes can facilitate intergroup hostility and give rise to toxic prejudices around sex, race, age, and multiple other social distinctions. Stereotypes as a whole should not pass for wisdom, but in lack of more detailed information, there is a purpose behind them. Stereotypes are often used to justify injustice and discrimination, validate oppression, enable exploitation, rationalize violence, and shield corrupt power structures” (Shpancer, 2018). As such, these “stereotype-based expectations and interpretations routinely derail intimate relationships, contaminate laws (and their enforcement), poison social commerce, and stymie individual freedom and achievement” (Shpancer, 2018). This is the danger of stereotypes, as they can often blind someone to the actual reality of a situation. However, this does not mean that stereotypes are purposeless or meaningless regarding human behavior.

This is because “the fact that stereotypes are often harmful does not mean that they are merely processing failures—bugs in our software. The fact that stereotypes are often harmful also does not mean that they are often inaccurate. In fact, quite shockingly to many, that prevailing twofold sentiment, which sees stereotypical thinking as faulty cognition and stereotypes themselves as patently inaccurate, is itself wrong on both counts” (Shpancer, 2018). As such, there may be a reason, or a borderline benefit for stereotypes if we consider that they “are not bugs in our cultural software but features of our biological hardware. This is because the ability to stereotype is often essential for efficient decision-making, which facilitates survival” (Shpancer, 2018). Therefore, the concept of stereotypes itself is not necessarily harmful. Instead, the harm comes from how we interpret and act upon these ideas that are perpetuated by patterns.

Suppose one considered this explanation for stereotypes, as they are part of a quick decision-making process when discerning whether something is a threat. In that case, this explains why it comes up so often in the medical field, especially regarding CVD (cardiovascular disease) as it is the most common and deadliest disease in the world. It knows no boundaries and, due to its terminality, inspires fear in the However, in a medical context, there is. However, despite these issues, there is a reason such ideals exist. That is why, in my opinion, understanding the reasons behind stereotypes is almost as important as not judging others for believing them. Therefore, this is why understanding something is not the same as condoning it.

The first major stereotype I came across is the assumption that CVD only impacts those who are older, usually over the age of 65.

While not necessarily accurate. While around 70% of the people with CVD are older, one must consider the other 30%. This is due primarily to CHD (congenital heart disease). Therefore, while not in the majority, people with CHD still exist, but in a less socially exaggerated and underrepresented manner. According to the article, Congenital Heart Defects, “CHDs occur in about 1 out of 100 babies. Due to advances in early diagnoses, testing, treatment, and surgeries, most young people with these conditions are living into adulthood” (John Hopkins Medicine, 2019). Therefore, while CVD can be developed at a younger age than 65, the largest other group of people with CVD developed it congenitally. It is also worth reiterating that, due to modern medicine, a larger portion of these children age into adulthood; I am one of them.

However, this stereotype led to the majority of my life not being believed that I had a cardiovascular condition until I had to show my chest scars for them to take me seriously. For example, the difficulty I faced in convincing the security guards to board a plane when I was four years old. As such, for years, I had to show them my pacemaker ID before they believed me. While younger people with CHD are in the minority, this does not mean they are irrelevant.

The second main stereotype I’ve encountered is that CVD is a death sentence. And yes, it is. No sugarcoating it. However, it could be argued that this applies to life in general. We’re not getting out of it alive. Unfortunately, my particular situation has led to multiple near-death experiences, but that is just the cards that were handed to me. Regardless, my heart has been pumping (via pacemaker) for over three decades now. So yes, it does lead to death and is a severe and dangerous illness, but the danger is mitigated by how well it is managed and maintained via modern medicine. This is because CVD, while forever present, if properly managed, means that it could likely lead to a longer life than expected. Therefore, it is wise, if not necessary, to maintain one’s cardiovascular health to the best of one’s ability.

 However, it seems that CVD, despite all evidence to the contrary, remains popularly the harbinger of death, and therefore is a key factor of fear surrounding the illness. This fear then leads to stereotypes. While it is indeed deadly, modern medicine makes the situation more complicated, and oftentimes, the CVD can be managed and controlled to delay the inevitable.

These include times I have experienced when people learn about my illness, and a particular look comes across their face. It’s like a preemptive mourning dawns on them, where I immediately become a burden waiting to happen, regardless of my present health condition. I have seen this at job interviews, social events, and even just meeting someone on the street, if they ask me about my arm.

This particular reaction, in my experience, can be found globally. However, other responses to the illness and this stereotype, particularly how it is perceived as bringing bad luck, can be more regional and culturally specific.

For example, during my time studying and working in China, I encountered many people who called me “can-ji” (garbage human) and treated me like a walking waste of flesh. This was primarily due to my shorter left arm and scars, all of which resulted from my CVD. It should be remembered that this behavior toward those with disability is common in that country, according to the article, Disability and the Three Traditional Chinese Belief Systems, such ideas are culturally justified as they are rooted in Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian beliefs (TwoSticks, 2016). I will elaborate on this in a future article. However, as one can understand, I did not appreciate this treatment, but I do understand why this occurred. However, I have encountered other, arguably more subtle responses to my illness in Europe.

Professors and employers in Germany have both viewed me as not healthy enough to participate in excursions or as unfit to be worthy of mentorship or supervision of my work. While this is annoying, I won’t jump to accusations of ableism because there is a very logical, practical, and culturally significant reason for it. According to the article, Causes of Death, “as in the previous years, the most common cause of death in 2019 was cardiovascular disease. It accounted for 35.3% of all deaths” (Federal Statistical Office, 2025). So, one can easily understand with such a high level of CVD deaths in Germany, how a regional-specific apprehension toward the illness could easily take root. While these behaviors are due to stereotypes, they are not without their reasons.

Therefore, perhaps these stereotypes may not be accurate, but that doesn’t mean they are unjustified. It makes sense of course, because if one is near death, then not only is it a risk to support that person, but an objectively unwise one. However, that functions under the assumption that my health is inherently poor due to my condition. I’m not justifying the behavior; I'm only trying to understand it. Just as I’m not saying CVD isn’t serious or that it is not deadly—quite the opposite. But instead, I believe that the stereotype of age contributes to the stereotype of impending death.

My experience, and that of others with CHD who have reached adulthood with the illness, shows how one can be resilient against CVD and, by extension, the stereotype as a whole, rendering it not necessarily accurate in the face of modern medicine.

One should not underestimate the severity of CVD, but one also should not underestimate the resilience of those impacted by the illness. Therefore, it is easy to interpret the disease like a mask under the assumption of age and impending death. But I would encourage taking off the mask and getting to know the person beneath because each instance of CVD is unique. Some are physically stronger than others, so it is best not to assume the capabilities of someone with CVD based on a stereotype, which I believe happens too often even today. Therefore, to battle stereotypes like these, it is crucial to understand nuanced experiences of those with CVD and the true resilience it takes to fight the illness, and the stereotypes combined.

Keep ticking, everyone!

Reference list

Federal Statistical Office. (2025). Causes of Death. [online] Available at: https://www.destatis.de/EN/Themes/Society-Environment/Health/Causes-Death/_node.html.

John Hopkins Medicine. (2019). Congenital Heart Defects. [online] Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/congenital-heart-defects.

Shpancer, N. (2018). Stereotype Accuracy: A Displeasing Truth. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-therapy/201809/stereotype-accuracy-displeasing-truth.

TwoSticks, B. (2016). Disability and the Three Traditional Chinese Belief Systems - ChinaSource. [online] https://www.chinasource.org/. Available at: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/articles/disability-and-the-three-traditional-chinese-belief-systems/.

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