title: Cardiovascular disease in women, is it different to men? The role of sex hormones.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease in women differs in clinical presentation, pathophysiology and prognosis from that in men. The role of estrogens and androgens may help explain such sex dimorphisms, being involved in cardiac function, endothelial function and vascular tone. In particular, the cardioprotective effect of estrogen replacement therapy is observed in postmenopausal women in a time-dependent manner, i.e. when it is initiated at their first menopausal symptoms. Postmenopausal women, beyond aged men, may also benefit from testosterone supplementation therapy. Testosterone has been found to be an effective and safe therapy for elderly women with chronic heart failure. However, further studies are needed to clarify doses and routes of administration of androgens in postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cardiovascular and Cell Science Research , St George's Hospital , London , UK.
authors.forename: G M C
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Rosano
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spoletini
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vitale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; gender; sex hormones; women