Cardiovascular Disease in Women Challenges and Differences in Diagnosis and Management

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Biologic and sociocultural factors account for the variation in presentation and natural history of CVD in women. Research in the last two decades focusing on CVD in women has led to an improved understanding of conventional and novel risk factors, sex specific pathophysiology of Ischemic heart disease (IHD). The salient features of IHD in women are a higher prevalence of risk factors, angina, lower burden of obstructive coronary artery disease and a poorer prognosis in comparison with men. Evaluation and management of disease with higher prevalence in women including myocardial infarction with non obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), stress induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo syndrome) and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) are discussed.