Gender differences in the outcome of noninvasive cardiovascular treatment.
Cardiovascular diseases are equally common in both sexes with differences in pathogenesis, clinical presentation and outcome. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases progressively increases in women after the menopause and their development is related to risk factors and their interaction with the female hormones. The prognosis after myocardial infarction is worse in women because of a more difficult diagnosis (atypical symptoms, unclear ECG abnormalities) and because of social and economic factors. The role of hormone replacement therapy in atherosclerosis prevention is not yet clear, and there are many doubts about its administration because of the increased risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular events. Our best weapons against cardiovascular diseases are primary prevention and pharmacological therapy. The biological and pathophysiological mechanisms related to estrogen deficiency that may lead to the development of atherosclerosis are still unknown. Therefore, it would be useful to investigate the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis in women in order to improve primary prevention and the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Penco
Maria
M
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila. mpenco@libero.it
Fratini
Simona
S
Romano
Silvio
S
Novo
Salvatore
S
D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors