12.7: Conclusions
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- Cardiovascular disease in women is the number 1 cause of death in the Western World.
- Cardiovascular risk increases after menopause, regardless of the age it occurs.
- Women share similar cardiovascular risk factors however there are important sex differences in the prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis and coronary vascular physiology.
- There are gender differences in the regulation of vasomotor function of microvessels.
- Women more often have chest pain by less obstructive coronary artery disease.
- In women with persistent chest pain with the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease treatment of symptoms en risk factors is essential.
- The GP or menopause physician plays an important role in the identification of global cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes)
- Cardiovascular specialists and menopause physicians must work as a team to assess global risk for the individual woman.
- Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease.
- Prevention and reduction of cardiovascular disease as early as possible must be a priority