Coronary artery disease in women: a risk-factor analysis

BACKGROUND Risk factor modification is important in preventing coronary artery disease; however, risk factors for coronary artery disease have been studied mostly in men, not women.

OBJECTIVE To examine risk factors for coronary artery disease in women.

METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of all adult women who underwent their first-ever cardiac catheterization at our institution in 1983. Risk factors in women with angiographic evidence of coronary atherosclerosis were compared with risk factors in women without angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease.

RESULTS Risk factors identified included age, diabetes melli-tus, hypertension for more than 5 years, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and familial coronary artery disease.

CONCLUSIONS Risk factors for coronary artery disease in women are similar to those of men.