Ischaemic heart disease in the ageing woman

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of death, with women experiencing higher mortality rates than men since 1984.
• Gender-specific differences in symptom presentation and underestimation of CVD risk in women contribute to delayed diagnosis and underuse of medical services.
• Misperceptions of female protection against heart disease lead to underestimation of risk, impacting healthcare-seeking behavior and treatment intensity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review gender-specific differences in the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of ischaemic heart disease (IHD).
• To highlight the impact of ageing and menopause on IHD in women.
• To address the underestimation of heart disease risk and its consequences in women.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological data on cardiovascular disease mortality in men and women.
• Analysis of healthcare-seeking behavior and diagnostic timelines for men and women.
• Examination of treatment strategies and outcomes in relation to gender and age.

Main Results:

• Women experience greater mortality from cardiovascular disease compared to men.
• Delays in diagnosis and less intensive resource utilization are observed in women.
• Underestimation of risk and less aggressive treatment strategies contribute to poorer outcomes for women.

Conclusions:

• Gender-specific factors significantly influence cardiovascular disease outcomes.
• Addressing underestimation of risk and improving diagnostic and treatment timeliness for women is crucial.
• Ageing and menopause are critical factors in the management of ischaemic heart disease in women.