Women and Heart Disease

Abstract

Coronary heart disease (CHD) has long been considered a disease primarily of men. However, CHD is the major cause of death in women in the U.S.; approximately one half of the 500,00 deaths in the U.S. attributed to CHD occur in women.1 The prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CHD in women are receiving greater attention as the number of women with CHD increases. Much of what we know about the management of CHD, however, is based on studies of middle-aged men and may not apply to women. The lack of knowledge specific to CHD in women creates numerous challenges for practitioners. This chapter addresses issues related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CHD in women.