Prevention, Detection and Management of Coronary Artery Disease in Minority Females.

Abstract

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women living in the United States; this disease claims more female lives than all cancers combined. Additionally, according to the Centers of Disease Control data between the years 1979 and 2006, while cardiac-related mortality among men decreased significantly, only a modest decline was found among women. This disparity is greatest among minority females including Blacks and Hispanics who have an even greater prevalence of CVD and its risk factors. There are several risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). Modifiable risk factors include: tobacco smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity and physical inactivity. The prevention of CAD is grounded in decreasing or removing these modifiable risk factors. Accurately diagnosing CAD is dependent on an accurate assessment of the patient's pre-test probability to determine the best diagnostic approach to pursue. The patient's functional status, resting EKG and cardiac risk factors also assist in determining the best non-invasive cardiac test to pursue. The goals and mainstay in the management of minority females with stable CAD includes surveillance for CAD symptoms, management of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia, as well as encouraging healthy habits. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in minority females. Providers must be diligent to aggressively decrease patients' cardiovascular risk and, when patients do present with cardiovascular symptoms, providers must be aggressive in accurately diagnosing and treating these patients to decrease cardiac morbidity and mortality.