Prevention for the older woman. A practical guide to managing cardiovascular disease.
American women are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than from any other cause. Although hypertension is most prevalent, most deaths are attributed to coronary heart disease. Heart disease in women manifests approximately 12 to 15 years later than in men, up until menopause. Then the severity of coronary artery lesions in women accelerates until it equals or surpasses that of men by the late 70s or early 80s. Physicians can help older women reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke by managing hypertension and hypercholesterolemia and providing beta-blocker treatment when indicated after MI. Nonpharmacologic interventions may be effective as well. New guidelines for aspirin help identify women under age 80 who would benefit most from antiplatelet therapy.
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Barbara J
BJ
Messinger-Rapport
Holly L
HL
Thacker
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control; D016387:Women's Health
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents