Cardiovascular disease in women
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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates are declining in men but not women, who still face it as the leading cause of death. Understanding sex-specific risk factors, especially post-menopause, is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Women's Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates have decreased in men but not women, making it the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
- While men typically develop heart disease earlier, women experience more rapid progression after menopause.
- Notable sex-dependent differences exist in common CVD risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and highlight sex-dependent differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- To examine the impact of menopausal hormonal changes on CVD risk in women.
- To emphasize the need for tailored prevention and treatment strategies for women.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cardiovascular disease risk factors in men and women.
- Analysis of sex-specific differences in the prevalence and progression of CVD.
- Identification of physiological and sociological factors influencing CVD risk.
Main Results:
- Hormonal changes during menopause, including hypertension, altered lipid concentrations, and central adiposity, significantly impact CVD risk in women.
- Diabetes is a more substantial risk factor for CVD in women compared to men.
- Sociological and physiological factors like smoking, inactivity, obesity, and depression require consideration in risk management.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular disease remains a critical health issue for women, necessitating a focus on sex-specific differences.
- Menopause-related hormonal shifts contribute significantly to increased CVD risk in women.
- Developing new prevention and treatment goals tailored to women's unique risk profiles is essential.
Abstract:
The rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have decreased significantly for men over the past few decades, but similar reductions have not occurred in women. Consequently, CVD remains the leading killer of women in the United States. Men usually develop heart disease earlier than women, but women develop heart disease more rapidly once menopause has occurred. A review of risk factors that are common between men and women demonstrates some notable sex-dependent differences. Many of these changes appear related to the hormonal changes that occur in menopause, such as the development of hypertension, changes in lipid concentrations, and central adiposity. In addition, diabetes is a more significant risk factor for CVD in women than men. Sociologic and physiologic factors need to be considered in treatment of risk factors, such as smoking, lack of exercise, obesity, and depression. Prevention is known to significantly reduce CVD risk, but new goals are being established for women as the sex-dependent differences have become apparent.
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