Cardiovascular disease in women.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality in women despite advances in treatment strategies. Challenges currently exist when making the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Equitable treatment of women once the disease has been identified is a further conundrum. Observational data have helped to identify those women at a higher risk of mortality and morbidity attributable to coronary artery disease. Interpretation of individual risk factors differs between the genders. Treatment may also differ depending on appropriate proper risk stratification, using newer models that take into account gender differences. Outcomes can be improved with the proper use of existing risk stratification tools.