Coronary heart disease in women

pp 459-465

Abstract

Coronary heart disease in women is responsible of the 28% of deaths in the USA. Among women 55 to 64 years of age suffering CHD, 36% is handicapped. This figure rises to 55% among those over 75years of age. CHD is predominant in post-menopause women. The incidence increases with age, and equals that of men in the eight decade. AMI in women has an increased morbality and mortality compared with men. Long term prognosis is also less favorable after CABG or angioplasty, probably because they are performed when symptoms are more severe. Risk factors are similar in women and men (smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes) but a list of gender-related factors must be added: use of oral contraceptives, hysterectomy plus ooforectomy and menopause