Cardiovascular disease and women.

Cardiovascular disease is a significant problem for women. Coronary artery disease has long been considered a man's disease and women have been excluded as a population at significant risk for cardiovascular disease. Women are poorly informed about cardiovascular disease, which is the greatest risk to their health. Many of the risk factors for heart disease are similar for men and women such as age, family history, cigarette smoking, hypertension, high serum cholesterol levels, and diabetes. Women have unique risk factors which include menopause, oral contraceptive use, and non-contraceptive use of estrogen. Gender differences also exist in the clinical presentation of heart disease. Primary prevention is aimed at smoking cessation, diet modification, and increased physical activity. Health care providers need to understand the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in women and the importance of prevention, recognition of symptoms, and timely referral.