Coronary artery disease in women.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in American women over age 40. Following menopause, the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) in women is the same as for men. In addition, the major factors that place men at risk are the same for women. However, differences exist in the presentation of symptoms, the ease of diagnosis of CAD, and the morbidity and mortality rates following myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery bypass surgery, and angioplasty. Because of role differences in men and women, more attention must be paid to developing successful health-promoting and life-style-change strategies in women of all ages.