ABSTRACT
Heart disease in women has evolved to an acknowledged set of conditions, with standards and valid recommendations. The quality of care for women at risk for heart disease now can be assessed to improve health outcomes. The knowledge base for quality assessment in heart disease in women is addressed with respect to coronary heart disease risk factors, treatment disparities, and diagnostic testing.
Subject(s)
Coronary Disease , Cholesterol, HDL/blood , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Coronary Disease/blood , Coronary Disease/diagnosis , Coronary Disease/epidemiology , Electrocardiography , Female , Humans , Hypertension/blood , Quality of Health Care , Risk Factors , Women's HealthABSTRACT
Coronary heart disease in women can be prevented or reduced by identifying risk factors and modifying behavior. The optimal recommendations, which may differ from those for men, are based on the appropriate consideration of women's risk factors. The strongest risk factors for women are increasing age, diabetes, tobacco use, and high-density lipoprotein level. This paper reviews the risk factors for coronary heart disease as they apply to women, emphasizing the gender differences in risk factor impact and modification on mortality and morbidity.
