Is cardiovascular risk different in diabetic women?

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality among diabetic women . However, studies devoted to cardiovascular disease in women. and particul arly diabetic women, are scarce. Diabetes erases the natural protection of premenopausal women against cardiovascular disease. Risk of death from coro nary artery disease is higher in diabetic women than in diabetic men. Diabe tic women might be more exposed to some risk factors. Non invasive diagnost ic tools of coronary artery disease are less accurate in women. and women a re less likely than men to undergo catheterization or revascularization. Th e lower diameter of coronary artery might contribute to these reluctances. Nevertheless, long-term outcome of the revascularization procedures (thromb olysis. bypass graft, angioplasty) are similar in men and women, although p eri-procedural risks might be higher in women. Finally, secondary preventio n treatments, particularly beta-blockers, are underused in women. Gender di fferences in cardiovascular risk among diabetics are partly explained by di screpancies in terms of coronary artery anatomy or lack of reliable non inv asive tests. But the longer delay to treatment and the lack of scientific i nformation about the particular features of coronary heart disease in women probably contribute to the increased risk in diabetic women.