Via practica 4-5/2008

PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in women after the age of 50 years in most developed countries. Epidemiology, symptoms and progression of cardiovascular disease are different in women than in men. Indeed, women develop cardiovascular disease when they are about 10 years older than men and typically after the menopause. Because of the different impact of cardiovascular risk factors in men and women, the strategies for prevention should be different in the two genders. In women, the control of blood pressure and glucose metabolism should be a priority. Futhermore, hormone replacement therapy may still have a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease if given to the right woman at the right time.

Keywords: cardiovascular diseases, menopause, hormone replacement therapy.