Most significant is diabetes, which results in a 3- to 7-fold increased CVD risk in women compared with a 2- to 3fold elevated risk in men. Diabetes negates the presumed gender-protective effect of estrogen in premenopausal women.21 It is estimated that two thirds of all deaths in diabetic patients are due to CVD.19 Hypertension, a major CVD risk factor for both sexes, is more prevalent in women than in men after the age of 65. Contrary to earlier belief, women do not tolerate the effects of hypertension Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical on the cardlovasular

and renal systems better than men do.24 In women younger than 50 years, smoking is the leading cause of CVD. Although the prevalence of smokers is still slightly higher in men than in women, the decline in tobacco use among women is less evident than in men.36 In fact, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical in younger women there may even be an increase rather than a decrease, and this may explain the increased incidence rates of CVD.36-38 This risk in young female smokers is additionally elevated by the use of oral contraceptives.39 Hypercholesterolemia plays a central role in the development of CVD in men and women, with a linear relationship between low-density

lipoprotein (LDL) levels and risk for CVD, particularly in women Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical less than 65 years. Additionally, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in women over 65 years convey a greater risk than Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical in men. 19,40 Obesity, and particularly central obesity, more prevalent in men up to the age of 45 and in women over the age of 45, increases the CVD risk specifically in women41 and is associated with diabetes, hypertension, and Selleckchem GF109203X dyslipldemia, as well as other lifestyle risk factors such as physical inactivity and poor diet. The abovementioned

risk factors account for only approximately 40% of the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical variance of CVD. Gender differences in psychosocial cardiac risk factors Since the late 1950s, the role of potential psychosocial risk factors in the development and outcomes of CVD have been extensively studied. Type A personality (excess aggression, impatience, and competitiveness) and more recently type D personality Rolziracetam (inhibition of negative emotions in social situations), depression and anxiety, low socioeconomic status, lack of social support, social isola_ tion, and chronic work stress have all been evoked. While these factors were initially believed to indirectly increase CVD by affecting the traditional risk factors (reinforcing unhealthy lifestyle behaviors), numerous prospective cohort studies have also demonstrated direct effects via mechanisms such as disturbed autonomic and neuroendocrine regulation.