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Addressing the Gap in Physician Preparedness To Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Women: a Comprehensive Approach to Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Women

  • Women’s Health (M Wood, Section Editor)
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Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

Increased recognition of risk factors and improved knowledge of sex-specific presentations has led to improved clinical outcomes for women with cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to two decades ago. Yet, CVD remains the leading cause of death for women in the USA. Women have unique risk factors for CVD that continue to go under-recognized by their physicians.

Recent findings

In a nationwide survey of primary care physicians (PCPs) and cardiologists, only 22% of PCPs and 42% of cardiologists reported being extremely well prepared to assess CVD risk in women. A presidential advisory from the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologist (ACOG) recommends that cardiologists and obstetricians and gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) collaborate to promote CVD risk identification and reduction throughout a woman’s lifetime.

Summary

We suggest a comprehensive approach to identify unique and traditional risk factors for CVD in women, address the gap in physician knowledge, and improve cardiovascular care for women.

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Funding

This work was supported by Emory Women’s Heart Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St./Halsted 500, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Nino Isakadze MD

  2. Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory Women’s Heart Center, 1462 Clifton Rd NE, Suite 505, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Puja K. Mehta MD & Gina P. Lundberg MD

  3. Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Puja K. Mehta MD, Karen Law MD & Gina P. Lundberg MD

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory University School of Medicine, Ste 700, Atlanta, GA, 30342, USA

    Mary Dolan MD

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  1. Nino Isakadze MD
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Correspondence to Nino Isakadze MD.

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Nino Isakadze, Karen Law, Mary Dolan, and Gina P. Lundberg each declare no potential conflicts of interest. Puja K. Mehta reports research support from Sanofi Aventis.

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Isakadze, N., Mehta, P.K., Law, K. et al. Addressing the Gap in Physician Preparedness To Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Women: a Comprehensive Approach to Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Women. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med 21, 47 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-019-0753-0

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