Coronary heart disease in women and the role of the laboratory.
Coronary heart disease (CHD), the single greatest cause of death in women, is often unrecognized by health care providers and individuals suffering from the disease. CHD is a process in which atherosclerotic lesions composed of lipoprotein particles, macrophages, leukocytes, and smooth muscle cells narrow the lumen of coronary arteries. Two clinical conditions may develop, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina. Signs and symptoms of CHD in women may differ from those of men, leading to delays in treatment and diagnosis. Several well-recognized risk factors for CHD have been identified, including aging, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle. The role of the laboratory in CHD involves diagnosing and monitoring persons at risk for developing CHD, diagnosing AMI, monitoring effectiveness of perfusion post AMI, and patient risk stratification.
Legrys
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VA
Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7145, USA. vlegrys@css.unc.edu
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics