[Gender inequalities for cardiovascular diseases]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Women's Health
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality in women globally.
• Cardiovascular risk in women is often underestimated and presents unique challenges compared to men.
• Women experience specific hormonal risks related to contraception, pregnancy, and menopause.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the specific cardiovascular risk factors and challenges in women.
• To emphasize the need for optimized evaluation and management of cardiovascular risk in the female population.
• To underscore the importance of considering gender-specific particularities in clinical presentation and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on cardiovascular disease in women.
• Analysis of gender-specific cardiovascular risk factors, including hormonal influences.
• Comparison of cardiovascular risk, presentation, and management between men and women.

Main Results:

• Women face a greater increase in cardiovascular risk and poorer prognosis from factors like smoking and diabetes compared to men.
• Prevention, screening, and diagnosis of CVD in women are often delayed and less frequent.
• Current treatments for CVD may not be optimal for women due to biological and clinical particularities.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing and addressing the specific cardiovascular risks and particularities in women is essential.
• Optimized evaluation and improved management strategies are required to enhance cardiovascular health outcomes for women.
• Further research and tailored approaches are needed to address the gender-specific aspects of cardiovascular disease.