Evolving Cardiovascular Care for Women: A Decade of Progress

Abstract

10.2217/FCA.15.24 © 2015 Future Medicine Ltd Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality for women in the USA despite admirable progress over the past decade and a continued decline in the number of deaths attributable to heart disease [1]. There remains a gender gap in outcomes as ischemic heart disease in women remains underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. It is important to appreciate that this gap exists as women constitute the majority of people both living with and dying from heart disease [2]. Heart disease is different in women compared with men in ways ranging from the basic biology and biomechanics of their coronary blood vessels to psychosocial factors that influence how they experience symptoms and seek medical care. For example, women are more likely to present with atypical symptoms or anginal equivalents, are less likely to have obstructive coronary disease, and are often older at presentation with more comorbidities present compared with men [3].