Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health issue around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 17.9 million deaths occur due to CVDs each year.

Both men and women can get affected by CVDs but there are some differences in how they affect women and men. This article discusses gender differences in CVDs.

Prevalence

CVDs are more common in men than women. However, in women, the incidence of CVD increases rapidly after menopause. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), CVD is the leading cause of death for women in the US.

It kills more women than all types of cancer combined. In fact, one in three women die from heart disease and stroke every year.

Risk factors

Both men and women share common risk factors for CVDs such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and family history. However, some risk factors are specific to women such as pregnancy complications and birth control pills.

Women who have had preeclampsia during pregnancy are twice as likely to develop CVDs later in life compared to women who haven’t had this condition. Women who take birth control pills and smoke are at a higher risk of CVDs.

Symptoms

Women may experience different symptoms of heart attack than men. While men typically experience chest pain, women may have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and back or jaw pain.

Women may not experience chest pain at all, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Due to these differences in symptoms, women are less likely to receive timely treatment for heart attacks.

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Diagnosis

The diagnosis of CVDs in women is often more challenging than men due to differences in symptoms.

Women may also need different tests than men such as the stress echocardiogram, which is a non-invasive test that can help detect heart disease in women with atypical symptoms. The nuclear stress test and the coronary angiogram are other tests that are used to diagnose CVDs in women.

Treatment

Treatment of CVDs in women may require different approaches compared to men. Women are often undertreated for heart disease due to misconceptions that heart disease is a “man’s disease”.

Women may also experience more side effects from medications used to treat heart disease. For example, women are more likely to experience bleeding complications from blood thinners than men. Women may also require additional therapies such as hormone therapy and breast cancer treatment, which can affect heart health.

Prevention

Prevention of CVDs is key for both men and women. Lifestyle changes such as regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and weight management can help reduce the risk of CVDs.

Women can also take steps to manage specific risk factors such as preeclampsia and birth control pills. Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider are important for early detection and management of CVDs.

Conclusion

While CVDs are more common in men, women are at a significant risk of developing CVDs, especially after menopause. Women may experience different symptoms and require different tests and treatments than men.

Prevention of CVDs is key for both men and women.