The Gamut of Coronary Artery Disease in Indian Women
I B Vijayalakshmi, Lalita Nemani, Monica Kher, Achukatla Kumar
Abstract
Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death among women. Majority of women suffering from CAD have one or more risk factors for CAD in their parents. Women are at higher risk for cardiac events with respect to traditional risk factors including dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. Menopause, pregnancy complications, inflammation, anemia, migraines, and depression are important sex-specific novel risk factors for CVD, and it is important that clinicians should be aware of these risks to design strategies for prevention. Education, self-awareness in women, and timely recognition of CAD in women with lifestyle modifications and timely intervention result in better outcomes.