Women and coronary artery disease. Gender confers no immunity

Although women are, in general, at less risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) than men, they have some unique risk factors, especially if they are postmenopausal or diabetic. Cigarette smoking carries increased hazards for women because it is often accompanied by oral contraceptive use, a combination that promotes thrombogenesis. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, a high waist-hip ratio of body fat distribution, and certain psychosocial factors, while they pose risks for both men and women, have aspects that are unique to women. Clinicians need to identify the gender-related aspects of CAD and intervene aggressively to minimize the special risks to their women patients.