[Ischemic cardiopathy in women]

Life expectancy in western women is 8 years larger compared to men. This is due to the higher incidence of ischemic heart disease in men at least before reaching 45 years of age. This may also be due to differences in blood lipoprotein levels, differences in smoking habits, use of hormonal contraceptives, plasma iron levels, parity and other risk factors also found in men. After menopause the difference in the incidence of ischemic heart disease progressively decreases, basically because of a decrease in estrogen secretion. However, the role of estrogen supplement treatment in this group of women in the prevention of ischemic heart disease has not yet been clearly defined. The objectives of this study are to review the risk factors involved in the development of ischemic heart disease in women, the changes brought about by menopause and the possible beneficial effects of supplemental estrogens in the postmenopausal period.