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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the primary cause of death for both men and women in the United States, being characterized and treated in a historically male-centric manner. This research paper will address the disparities in risk factors for heart disease between genders, gender differences in diagnosis, and gender differences in management/treatment, thereby demonstrating the critical importance of incorporating sex specific factors into the field of cardiology. It has been demonstrated that lifestyle changes such as physical activity and smoking cessation can reduce CVD risk universally. This signifies a necessary shift toward being proactive in the prevention of CVD. However, this does not prove that these universal factors will yield fruitful outcomes when the stigma of unique female risk factors are ignored. Unique female risk factors include aspects of reproductive history (i.e., pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes) and anatomical differences (i.e., microvascular arterial structure and distinct genetic regulation). Most importantly, this research will demonstrate the gender gap in clinical practice, which includes the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials, delayed diagnoses resulting from atypical symptomology of women, and less aggressive medical management (i.e., lower guideline-recommended medication and diminished cardiac rehabilitation enrollment). These systemic biases provoke this disparity and therefore contribute to higher mortality rates and poorer long-term outcomes for woman than their male counterparts. To eliminate the gender gap and decrease CVD mortality, cardiology must move beyond general models. It is recommended to enhance the development and implementation of sex-specific diagnostic thresholds, risk stratification tools, and comprehensive, holistic care protocols that take into account the unique biological risk factors for women, as well as any biases that are part of institutionalized processes.
Publication Date
2026
Subject Major(s)
Health Science, Biology, Cardiology
Keywords
Cardiology, Heart
Disciplines
Anatomy | Biology | Cardiovascular Diseases | Cardiovascular System | Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Current Academic Year
Freshman
Rights
© The Author(s)
Included in
Biology Commons, Cardiovascular Diseases Commons, Cardiovascular System Commons, Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons