Description:

Heart disease from coronary artery disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. As a result of differences in symptoms and disease presentation between genders, heart disease is often missed in women. Almost half of US women fail to recognize cardiovascular disease (CVD) as their major health problem and thus miss the opportunity to partner with health care providers early to identify and manage risk factors over their lifespan. Women are also at risk for other forms of heart disease such as valvular disorders, heart failure and arrhythmias. The aging woman is also at risk for bone loss and sexual dysfunction. It is critical for health care providers to identify and appropriately educate their female patients who are at risk for all forms of CVD. However, overall awareness, as well as rapid changes and advances in scientific discovery make the practice of evidence- based medicine challenging for all practitioners.