We appreciate your interest in this issue of the Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal, which is devoted entirely to the crucial―and too frequently overlooked―topic of women and the heart. While this issue examines the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in its many forms across a woman’s life, we pay close attention to cardio-obstetrics and share the newest developments from experts in this space. I extend my sincerest thanks to all our authors, who have shared their research and insights, and especially to our guest editor for this issue, Valeria Duarte, MD, MPH.
In the seven years since this journal first focused on women and heart disease, the medical community has seen an increased prevalence of CVD during pregnancy. Women face the risky prospect of developing or unveiling CVD during pregnancy and experiencing adverse effects that may last well beyond the postpartum period. Differences in care must be understood and addressed to optimize outcomes for this population. In fact, these differences extend throughout a woman’s life, with numerous studies continuing to show discrepancies in care between genders. For example, as recently as late 2023, research presented at the scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology revealed that women are more than twice as likely as men to die from a myocardial infarction (MI).
In this issue, we encounter studies that indicate:
Women are more likely to attribute symptoms of MI to other causes and often delay seeking medical help.
When they do seek care, women are less likely to undergo angiography than men with similar symptoms.
Ischemic heart disease in women is underreported and underrecognized.
Key pharmacokinetic differences in women—and the fact that fewer women participate in clinical trials—result in women responding differently to guideline-directed medical therapy.
We hope that through continued medical research and raised awareness, knowledge about the cardiovascular-related gender differences between women and men will become so widespread that the next issue devoted to this topic will show better outcomes and equal levels of care between the sexes.
We encourage you to learn more in the Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal. If you haven’t already signed up for our quarterly issues online, be sure to subscribe now.
Miguel A. Quiñones, MD, MACC, FASE
Editor-in-Chief
Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal
Winters Family Distinguished Centennial Chair
in Cardiovascular Education, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center