WOMEN AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: FROM GENDER-SPECIFIC RISK TO ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS AND PREVENTION

Abstract

Summary. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity, disability, and death in women worldwide. However, CVD in women is often diagnosed later. Its clinical manifestation is determined not only by traditional risk factors, but also by anatomical and physiological characteristics determined by biological sex, reproductive history, hormonal changes, and social circumstances. Ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries, microvascular angina, and Takotsubo syndrome are more common in women; the vast majority of cases of spontaneous coronary artery dissection are also diagnosed in women. Chest pain remains the most common symptom of acute myocardial infarction in both sexes, but women more often report additional symptoms and the diagnostic path can be delayed. This review discusses the epidemiology of CVD in women, anatomical and physiological characteristics, gender-specific risk factors, key clinical phenotypes, diagnostic gaps, and prevention options. Reproductive history and disease mechanisms in women should be included in the daily assessment of cardiovascular risk, diagnosis and treatment.