Introduzione

Résumé fourni par la source

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly ischemic heart disease (IHD), are the leading cause of death and disability for both men and women globally, with a higher prevalence and mortality rate in low- and middle-income countries. In Italy, the age-standardized prevalence of CVDs among women has increased since 1990, contrasting with declines in other Western European regions. Despite growing scientific attention to sex and gender differences in cardiology, clinical practice has not kept pace with research findings. Women often present with symptoms considered “atypical,” such as palpitations, epigastric pain, or general malaise, which are frequently underestimated by both patients and healthcare professionals, resulting in delayed diagnosis and poorer outcomes. The lack of awareness that CVDs are the primary cause of death in women, combined with guidelines based largely on male populations, contributes to inadequate risk assessment and management. Socioeconomic and cultural barriers further hinder access to optimal diagnostic and preventive pathways, especially for women. Recent efforts by Italian scientific societies, supported by the National Institute of Health, have led to the development of an inter-society consensus document. This document aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for sex- and gender-specific cardiovascular risk evaluation and treatment, promoting a practical and multidisciplinary approach to address health disparities and improve cardiovascular outcomes for women.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.