Gender Differences

           Heart disease is one of the single most causes of death for both women and men in the United States. Women typically have a lower mortality rate than men when it comes to heart disease, so therefore heart disease has been considered a “male disease.” It is strange, however, that the reasons for the gender differences in heart disease are not quite known. Scientists, however, have hypothesized that there are differences in the physiology of the body between men and women. Also, it is noted that estrogen, which is higher in women, tends to have cardioprotective effects. When admitted to the hospital for a heart attack or chest pain, women, contrarily to men, undergo less types of heart surgeries. Tests for the diagnosis of heart disease are also performed less on women as well (Maserejian, N.  et. al, 2009).

           Heart disease tends to develop at least 10 years later in women than in men. However, even though it is seen later, heart disease is still one of the top causes of death in women. It is assumed, as stated above, that the exposure to estrogen during women’s fertile years delays the hardening of the blood vessels and other clinical manifestations. Nevertheless, signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis can still appear in women before they reach menopausal years. However, the plaques that cause atherosclerosis tend to become more “vulnerable” after the menopausal years. Other risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy, also increase a women’s chance of developing heart disease later in life (Maas & Appelman, 2010).

            When looking at the male perspective, heart disease is still a major killer—causing 1 in 4 deaths among men. It is important to remember that heart disease involves many other things besides just the narrowing of the arteries. It also includes heart attack, dysrhythmias, heart failure, valve disease, heart muscle disease, pericardial disease, aorta disease, and vascular disease. Men are two to three times more likely than women to have implanted defibrillators (pacemakers) to prevent a heart attack. It is important to note some of the pathophysiology at this point. The heart is divided between left and right sides, with ventricles and aortas. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs and brings back oxygen. It is noted that the right ventricle is larger in men than it is in women. Men differ from women in that their primary reason for having heart disease is having atherosclerosis, or a cholesterol-filled vessel. Women primarily develop small vessel occlusions rather than the large ones seen in males (Maas & Appelman, 2010).

             Conclusively, it is important to recognize the pathophysiology behind the gender differences associated with heart disease in males and females. By looking into this, health care providers can have a greater understanding of why the differences are occurring and what can be done to prevent them. Regardless of sex, it is important to know the risk factors for developing heart disease and to schedule regular health care checks in order to make sure that his/her’s modifiable risk factors are under control.