Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in women and the role of sex steroid hormone use.
Women in the United States are at significant risk for CVD. After a 10- to 12-year delay in onset, the rate of increase in CAD with age in women is the same as that in men. Cardiovascular risk correlates positively with total serum cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels and inversely with HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides are an independent risk factor in women. The close correlation between cholesterol levels and myocardial infarction has been documented in population-based studies in men and women and in dietary and drug intervention trials in men. For every 1% decrease in cholesterol, there is a corresponding 2% decrease in cardiovascular risk in both sexes. For adults it is recommended that total cholesterol levels be less than 200 mg/dL. Fifty percent of women in the United States have cholesterol levels that exceed that number. Cholesterol screening, identification of high-risk individuals and early institution of overall risk management strategies are keys to reducing morbidity and mortality. Ideal therapeutic interventions are those that are lipid neutral or have a beneficial effect on the lipid profile.
Knopp
R H
RH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle 98104.
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D045166:Estradiol Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
D045166:Estradiol Congeners; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D002784:Cholesterol