Title:Emerging Vascular Risk Factors in Women: Any Differences from Men?
Volume: 22
Issue: 31
Author(s): N. Katsiki and D. P. Mikhailidis
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Arterial stiffness, inflammatory markers, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, vascular
risk factors, women.
Abstract: Gender differences have been reported for traditional vascular risk factors such as
smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, age and family history of premature
coronary heart disease. The prevalence, severity, associations and response to treatment of
several emerging cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may also differ between men and women. Such
CVD risk factors include certain inflammatory and hemostatic markers, endothelial dysfunction, homocysteine,
lipid disorders, microalbuminuria/proteinuria, coronary artery calcium score, arterial stiffness, periodontitis,
inflammatory bowel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, impaired glucose metabolism, metabolic
syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Further larger prospective studies are needed to establish
these relationships. Hormone replacement therapy may also affect vascular risk. These data should be taken
into consideration when assessing and treating CVD risk in women.
