Aterosclerosis en la mujer: factores de riesgo y prevención Atherosclerosis in women: risk factors and its prevention

Summary: Heart Disease is the leading cause of death among women in Chile. It appears at younger ages than most people think and the risk increases during aging. Although mortality has declined in men in recent years, women have increased. Cardiovascular risk factors, including menopause, are critical in atherogenesis, and explained 90% of heart attacks in women, and greater morbimortality. Cardiovascular risk factors, differently affect men and women. In turn, mortality from cardiovascular disease increases with the number of risk factors, which increase after menopause, especially obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia, which could be associated with metabolic factors mediated by hormonal changes. Framingham tables underestimate the risk of women classified as 90% of women at low risk and very few at high risk before age 70. The recommendations are appropriate management of cardiovascular risk factors to prevent atherosclerosis, with a thorough individual risk assessment to identify women at risk. Hormone replacement therapy is not indicated as cardiovascular prevention.