THE ROLE OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN THE PROGRESSION OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE IN MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Abstract:

The main cause of morbidity and mortality in the population worldwide is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Coronary heart disease is the most important cause of cardiovascular mortality in women worldwide. Because most data on CHD are still largely from men, the true incidence of CHD in women may be underestimated. Risk calculations are primarily based on mortality rates rather than overall CHD rates, for which women tend to have higher rates of nonfatal events. In addition, women have lower income and lower socioeconomic status than men, which generally contribute to poorer health outcomes. Also, the adaptive immune response has recently emerged as an important factor in a wide range of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac remodeling, and heart failure; however, its role is not fully understood. Although the risk of cardiovascular disease increases with the onset of menopause, it cannot be distinguished from aging. The Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation Study showed that the presence of cardiovascular risk factors was responsible for comparable CHD lesions in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.