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The Diabetes-Cardiovascular Connection in Women: Understanding the Known Risks, Outcomes, and Implications for Care

Eric K Broni1, Chiadi E Ndumele1, Justin B Echouffo-Tcheugui2

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Current Diabetes Reports
|February 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Women with diabetes face higher cardiovascular disease risks and poorer outcomes than men. Addressing gender disparities and utilizing advanced therapies like SGLT-2 inhibitors can improve outcomes for diabetic women.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality in people with diabetes.
  • Women with diabetes experience a disproportionately higher relative increase in CVD morbidity and mortality compared to men.
  • Existing gender disparities in social determinants of health and healthcare access exacerbate risks for women with diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent evidence on the risks, outcomes, and management of cardiovascular disease in women with diabetes.
  • To highlight the unique challenges and disparities faced by women with diabetes concerning CVD.
  • To discuss implications for clinical practice and future research.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of recent scientific literature.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data on CVD in diabetic populations, stratified by gender.
  • Evaluation of clinical trial data and treatment guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Women with diabetes present with higher BMI and a more adverse cardiovascular risk profile at diagnosis.
  • They face increased risks for coronary heart disease, stroke, vascular dementia, and heart failure compared to men.
  • Pregnancy-specific conditions like gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia are linked to future T2D and CVD.
  • Women with type 2 diabetes may benefit more from GLP-1 receptor agonists.
  • Poorer CVD outcomes in women are compounded by social determinants of health and lower access to interventions and trials.

Conclusions:

  • Women with diabetes face a greater relative risk of CVD complications and poorer outcomes than men.
  • Addressing gender-specific risks and disparities is crucial for effective CVD prevention and management.
  • Further research and the strategic use of SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and other cardioprotective strategies are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality in women with diabetes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseasesDiabetesGestational diabetesMenopauseObesityPolycystic ovary syndrome

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