Women and Heart Disease: Understanding Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Article Ref. #: 1000WHOJ1103 Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women in the US. Although the overall death rate due to CVD has decreased recently, it has actually increased Article History in young women. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which may lead to myocardial infarction, Received: March 30th, 2015 congestive heart failure, and death, is an important focus for preventive efforts. The impact of Accepted: April 23rd, 2015 traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as family history, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, Published: April 24th, 2015 hyperlipidemia, and smoking differs with gender. Women face unique risks related to preg- nancy, menopause, and exogenous estrogen, and are more likely to develop other diseases (e.g Citation autoimmune diseases, breast cancer) whose course or treatment may be complicated by CAD. Alsarah A, Alsara O, Laird-Fick This article will review CAD risk factors in women, tools to quantify that risk, and interven- HS. Women and heart disease: tions to decrease it. Understanding for factors risk coronary artery disease. Women