Cardiovascular diseases in women remain underdiagnosed, undertreated

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the primary cause of mortality among women, yet they remain underdiagnosed and undertreated. This is largely because risk factors unique to women are not systematically incorporated into clinical practice, warned Dr. Gisselle Ramírez during a conference on cardiovascular risk in women.

Dr. Ramírez explained that while common risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol affect both sexes, women have specific conditions that elevate their heart disease risk. These include early menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, and pregnancy complications. She emphasized that these reproductive health factors, which can begin influencing heart health from a young age, should be considered during cardiovascular assessments.

"If we ignore reproductive history, we lose decades of primary and secondary prevention," stated Dr. Ramírez. She highlighted that women with a history of preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, or premature birth have a significantly higher probability of developing cardiovascular diseases later in life. Therefore, she recommended that these antecedents become part of routine medical evaluations.

Furthermore, Dr. Ramírez pointed to the underrepresentation of women in scientific studies on cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemias. This lack of specific evidence limits tailored diagnosis and treatment. She noted that women less frequently receive cholesterol-controlling therapies and are more likely to discontinue statin treatment due to side effects like muscle pain and insufficient guidance. She urged healthcare professionals to systematically inquire about menopause age, high-risk pregnancies, gestational diabetes, and infertility to improve preventative care.

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If we ignore reproductive history, we lose decades of primary and secondary prevention.