title: Strategies for reducing cardiovascular risk in women.
abstract: The major risk factors for coronary heart disease in women are much the same as in men. They include elevated cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, severe obesity, a history of stroke and/or thromboembolic disease, and a family history of premature coronary heart disease. Diabetes appears to confer a greater risk and hypertension to have a lesser effect in women than in men. The obstetrician-gynecologist's role as primary care physician is important in terms of risk reduction counseling in areas that are amenable to change: diet, exercise and cigarette smoking. A fourth area, prescribing hormonal therapy, including oral contraceptives and hormone replacement, is the one risk reduction modality that is within the physician's control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Burkman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral