Gender gap in coronary artery disease: comparison of the extent, severity and risk factors in men and women aged 45-65 years.

This retrospective study aimed to characterize coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors among relatively young women, as compared to men in a similar age group. Confirmed cases of CAD were compared regarding their medical background, performance and outcome of coronary artery procedures, physical profile and lifestyle information. The study population included 179 women and 270 men aged 45-65 years who were hospitalized during the study period 1990-1995 in the Hadassah Medical Centers. Significantly more women presented with histories of prior myocardial infarction and a higher number of vessels occluded by 80% or more and required percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for 3 or more arteries, and the women had a higher incidence of risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia than their male counterparts. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel