Gender and heart disease

What is it about?

Ischemic heart disease in the presence of non-obstructed large coronary arteries is more common in women than in men. Diagnostic strategies that perform well in men are less suitable for low and middle-aged women with low-intermediate risk for CAD. Tako tsubo syndrome and spontaneous coronary artery dissection endanger predominantly women and may be related to hormonal changes. Remodelling in myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure differs in women and men, with less fibrosis in women. Blood and tissue levels of CV drugs depend on sex . Effectos of drugs, e.g. antiarrhythmics , also depend on sex. Women have unique biological life events, menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding which may alter their risk for developing CVD and response to therapies.

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Why is it important?

More stringent consideration of sex and gender differences in CVD will lead to better understanding of pathophysiology and more personalized therapeutic approaches. This lack of knowledge on sex and gender differences will lead to wrong therapies and is costly.

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