Gender differences in cardiovascular disease prevention

Risk factors are generally shared between men and women with the major differences being hormonal. Nine modifiable risk factors account for over 90% of the risk of a coronary event in men and women--smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, abdominal obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol excess, reduced intake of fruit and vegetables, and psychosocial issues. Approximately half the decline in deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD), between 1980 and 2000, can be attributed to a reduction in the major risk factors and the other half to the use of evidence-based management. As educational efforts to increase awareness of cardiovascular disease (not cancer) to be the leading cause of death and disability in women are also associated with preventative action, it is important that health-care professionals educate themselves about CHD in women and communicate with women themselves, so that women can come forward for advice and evaluation.