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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Cholesterol Efflux Assay
Published on: March 6, 2012
Cholesterol management in women and the elderly
1Tulane University Medical Centre, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Insights
Women experience coronary atherosclerosis later than men, but share similar risk factors and benefit from cholesterol lowering. Secondary prevention strategies should be applied equally to older and younger individuals with coronary disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Epidemiology of Atherosclerosis
Background:
- Coronary atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death in both women and men.
- Atherosclerotic death typically occurs 5-10 years later in women compared to men.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence on coronary atherosclerosis risk factors and treatment benefits in women.
- To evaluate the applicability of secondary prevention strategies across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on coronary atherosclerosis in women and men.
- Analysis of risk factors and treatment efficacy data.
Main Results:
- Major risk factors for coronary artery disease are consistent between sexes.
- Evidence suggests women benefit from cholesterol-lowering interventions similarly to men.
Conclusions:
- Coronary atherosclerosis affects women and men, with a later onset in women.
- Risk factor management and cholesterol lowering are crucial for both sexes.
- Secondary prevention benefits should extend to older individuals with symptomatic coronary disease.
Abstract:
Women, like men, die mostly of coronary atherosclerosis, although atherosclerotic death in women occurs 5-10 years later than in men. Major risk factors predict coronary risk in women and men. What evidence is available suggests that women, similar to men, benefit from cholesterol lowering. Older individuals with symptomatic coronary disease but a relatively good prognosis should be offered the same benefits from secondary prevention as younger individuals.
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