Sex-specific differences in cardiovascular risk factors and their management

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in both sexes globally. However, sex-specific differences in risk factor prevalence, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes demand nuanced understanding and tailored management approaches. This review examines the biological and gender-related drivers of ASCVD risk, focusing on hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity, smoking, inflammation, and female-specific factors such as pregnancy complications and menopause. The underrepresentation of women in cardiovascular research, combined with therapeutic inertia and gaps in preventive care, has led to suboptimal outcomes. We discuss current evidence, highlight knowledge gaps, and call for more research initiatives to reduce the burden of ASCVD in women.