Heart disease in women.
Heart disease is a significant problem in women. Age, smoking, and hyperlipidemia are potent risk factors, as is the presence of diabetes. Hypertension is less of a risk factor in women than men. Diagnosis of coronary artery disease is most difficult in women, especially using non-invasive techniques, because of a lower prevalence of disease. Thrombolytic therapy may be associated with more bleeding in older, smaller women. Angioplasty and surgical bypass may be more difficult because of smaller coronary artery size in women. Exercise, aspirin, and estrogens appear to decrease the incidence and mortality of heart disease in women, but concern has been raised that the use of resources for the study, prevention and treatment of heart disease has a gender bias, with men receiving more than their fair share.
Ullrich
I H
IH
Section of Endocrinology/Metabolism, West Virginia University.
Yeater
R A
RA
Dalal
J
J
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology