¹ Ospedale “Fallacara” Triggiano
² Cardiology Service, ASL Napoli 3 Sud, Pompei (Italy)

Over the past two decades, several studies have examined gender differences in the clinical manifestations and prognosis of cardiovascular disease. The results of these studies have shown some important  gender-related differences. While the effects that gender, age and cultural behavior have on the health of men and women have been extensively studied, knowledge and awareness of the impact that gender differences have on the pathophysiology and treatment of diseases in general and cardiovascular diseases in particular are still low.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death and a major contributor to disability among women worldwide. Although often considered an advanced-aging disease, more than 15,000 deaths each year among women aged ≤ 55 years in the United States can be attributed to heart disease. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in postmenopausal women is the same as in men, however, in all age groups, women with CVD have relatively worse outcomes than men. Therefore, young women would be less likely to be affected by CVD, but, if affected, are exposed to a death rate and higher complications than men.

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