Coronary artery disease in women: a review on prevention, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Leila Fernandes Araujo, Alexandre de Matos Soeiro, Juliano Lara Fernandes, Antônio Eduardo Pesaro, Carlos V Serrano Jr

Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Brazil

Abstract: Despite numerous studies on women’s cardiac health throughout the past decade, the number of female deaths caused by cardiovascular disease still rises and remains the leading cause of death in women in most areas of the world. Novel studies have demonstrated that cardiovascular disease, and more specifically coronary artery disease presentations in women, are different than those in men. In addition, pathology and pathophysiology of the disease present significant gender differences, which leads to difficulties concerning diagnosis, treatment and outcome of the female population. The reason for this disparity is all steps for female cardiovascular disease evaluation, treatment and prevention are not well elucidated; and an area for future research. This review brings together the most recent studies published in the field of coronary artery disease in women and points out new directions for future investigation on some of the important issues.

Keywords: coronary artery disease, women, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, treatment.