Cardiovascular risk assessment in women - an update.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women. Although it is a disease of aging, vascular disease initiates much earlier in life. Thus, there is a need to be aware of the potential to prevent the development of the disease from an early age and continue this surveillance throughout life. The menopausal period and early menopause present an ideal opportunity to assess cardiovascular risk and plan accordingly. Generally in this period, women will be seen by primary health-care professionals and non-cardiovascular specialists. This review addresses female-specific risk factors that may contribute to the potential development of cardiovascular disease. It is important for all health-care professionals dealing with women in midlife and beyond to be cognisant of these risk factors and to initiate female-specific preventative measures or to refer to a cardiovascular specialist.
a National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London and Royal Brompton Hospital , London , UK ;
P
P
Collins
a National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London and Royal Brompton Hospital , London , UK ;
C M
CM
Webb
b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Stellenbosch University , Cape Town , South Africa ;
T J
TJ
de Villiers
a National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London and Royal Brompton Hospital , London , UK ;
J C
JC
Stevenson
c Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals, Imperial College London , UK ;
N
N
Panay
d Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Sydney Medical School North, University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia.
R J
RJ
Baber
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
Cardiovascular disease; age at menarche; coronary heart disease; diabetes mellitus; female-specific cardiovascular risk factors; hypertension; lipids; management; menopausal hormone therapy; menopausal symptoms; polycystic ovary syndrome; smoking; stroke