Women and Heart Disease Directed Readings In the

Transcript:Women and Heart Disease Directed Readings In the:
Women and Heart Disease Directed Readings In the Classroom September/October 2013 issue of Radiologic Technology Instructions: This presentation provides a framework for educators and students to use Directed Reading content published in Radiologic Technology. This information should be modified to: Meet the educational level of the audience. Highlight the points in an instructor’s discussion or presentation. The images are provided to enhance the learning experience and should not be reproduced for other purposes. Introduction Heart disease is known more as a killer of men than women, but U.S. women have surpassed men in prevalence of and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Although recent years have witnessed an upswing in education, awareness, and clinical research focused on heart disease in women, much work remains to reach a sufficient understanding of the differences in risk, presentation, and management of heart disease between the sexes to improve outcomes for women. Medical imaging has enhanced diagnosis and management of heart disease in women, especially by enabling less invasive approaches. Introduction Most women believe that breast cancer is the greatest threat to their health, but cardiovascular disease (CVD) has killed more women in the United States nearly every year since 1900 than any other disease. In 2007, reports estimated that approximately 1 woman died every minute in the United States from CVD. The total represents more deaths than from the combined causes of cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer disease, and accidents. With increasing awareness, education, and management, women’s mortality from CVD in the United States declined from 2000 to 2007. There still is much to learn, however, about differences in the presentation of heart disease in women and much to gain toward closing the gaps in disparities in disease management and research. Pathophysiology and Disease Presentation Pathophysiological differences exist between the sexes in clinical presentation of disease, diagnostic procedures, and how men and women respond to treatment. Important factors such as vascular and myocardial physiology, structure, and function are examples. What’s more, men and women differ at the most basic cellular levels and even in responses or reactions to medications. Many of the differences between vasculature of men and women can be attributed to female sex hormones. Clinicians point to several cardiovascular abnormalities that appear to be more common in women, including vasospastic disorders, Raynaud phenomenon, migraine headaches, and some forms of vasculitis. Women’s vasculature is smaller and stiffer than men’s, which can impair coronary