Modifiable factors for reducing the gender difference in lipid control

Clinicians and health professionals are increasingly becoming aware of different health needs of men and women. Differences in gender and corresponding sex hormones result in disparities in risk and protection of cardiovascular disease as men develop cardiovascular disease at an earlier age while women are affected at older ages. Myocardial adaptation and lipid metabolism, including plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, are different in men and women. Gender differences in optimal treatment and secondary prevention measures in patients with coronary heart disease are also evident. This report addresses some of the issues relating to gender differences in the risk, clinical manifestation and management of as well as response to therapy, with particular attention given to changes in plasma HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Understanding these differences in lipid control will help to improve the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and provide information for therapeutic or preventive strategies that may be specifically designed for men and women.