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Updated: Jan 2, 2026
An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction and Estrogen Receptor Signaling
Elif Tunc1, Alicia Arredondo Eve1, Zeynep Madak-Erdogan2
1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
Insights
Chest pain in women with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) is linked to coronary microvascular disease (CMD). Estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women may drive CMD, necessitating better diagnostics and treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Chest pain with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) disproportionately affects women, primarily due to coronary microvascular disease (CMD).
- Postmenopausal women constitute the majority of CMD patients, indicating a potential link between estrogen deficiency and CMD development.
- Limited understanding of CMD etiology and diagnostics leads to inadequate treatment plans and increased cardiovascular event risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on coronary microvascular disease (CMD).
- To explore the role of estrogen in coronary microvasculature.
- To discuss diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CMD in postmenopausal women.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on CMD.
- Analysis of research on estrogen's effects on the coronary microvasculature.
- Synthesis of information on CMD diagnosis and treatment.
Main Results:
- CMD is a significant contributor to chest pain in women with NOCAD.
- Estrogen deficiency is implicated in the pathogenesis of CMD.
- Current diagnostic and treatment approaches for CMD are insufficient.
Conclusions:
- Further research into CMD's underlying biology is crucial.
- Development of CMD-specific diagnostic tests and therapies is needed.
- Improved management strategies are essential for postmenopausal women with CMD.
Abstract:
Chest pain with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) occurs more frequently in women than in men and is mainly related to coronary microvascular disease (CMD). The majority of CMD patients are postmenopausal women, suggesting a role for lack of estrogens in the development and progression of CMD. Patients are often discharged without a clear treatment plan due to the limited understanding of etiology and diagnostic parameters of CMD and have significantly higher rates of future cardiovascular events. Thus, there is a need for a better understanding of the underlying biology, and CMD-specific diagnostic tests and therapies. In this article, we reviewed recent studies on CMD, estrogen action in coronary microvasculature, and diagnosis and treatment options for CMD in postmenopausal women.
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