Acute myocardial infarction - are women different?

Should we still debate whether women are biologically different or simply at a treatment disadvantage, compared with men? An analysis of the most recent scientific papers reveals some valid peculiarities and interesting considerations. Cardiologists, in general, know little about female peculiarities and clinical expressions of CAD and consequent therapeutic options in women. Regarding AMI, there is a well-known male model, and women have always been treated like men. Therefore, I thinkthat the Yentl syndrome is real and that it consists in the particular pathophysiology of atherosclerotic disease inwomen. Women are protected from atherosclerotic disease in their fertile phase, probably to assure species perpetuation.Menopause confers a new vulnerability in women, potentially a high risk of future cardiac events. Specific studies dedicated to a better understanding of female CAD, and particularprimary preventive interventions for aggressive treatment of risk factors in women are needed, in order to render post-menopause a phase of well being rather than a period of morbidity.