THOUGHTS ON GENDER-RELATED RESEARCH - MODELS, MYTHS, AND MEDICINE

Gender-related research directed to hypertension and coronary artery d isease (CAD) is discussed in terms of the one-sex and two-sex models. Gender ''blind'' research on the two conditions has resulted in questi onable treatment regimes for women. In addition, the biomedical myth o f CAD as a male disease has also perpetuated less-than-optimal treatme nt. Finally, the role of amount and distribution of body fat in the de velopment of hypertension and CAD should be considered within an evolu tionary framework. Body fatness in women has been of evolutionary surv ival value and current standards for ideal weight and risk for disease have to take this into account. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.