Gender Differences in Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in most developed countries [1]. Many studies have found gender-related differences in the presentations, prevalence, and clinical outcomes of CAD [2-4]. CAD first presents itself in women approximately 10 years later than in men, most commonly after menopause [5]. The worldwide INTERHEART study, a large study of more than 52000 individuals with MI, first demonstrated that this approximate 8 to 10 year difference in age at onset holds widely around the world, across various socioeconomic, climatic, and cultural environments. Although coronary artery disease in general is manifestated earlier in less developed countries, the age gap in time of onset between men and women is universal (Table 1) [6].