Therapists from the working group on vascular risks of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) gathered in Malaga for
XX Meeting on vascular risks. In this context, a new network (RIVAS network) was introduced, which today includes internal medicine specialists from 77 Spanish hospitals. The goal is to promote research in the field of vascular risks. Namely, one of the most common public health problems is the increase in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as they constitute the first cause of death among women and the second among men in Spain. In particular, there is concern about
lack of research on vascular risk in women. That is why the last meeting was held under the motto
“Improving Women’s Cardiovascular Health”
Vascular Risk Research
Six thematic tables were held on women’s cardiovascular health: “Epidemiology of vascular diseases in women”; “Gender and vascular health: gender as a modulator of vascular diseases”; “Vascular Risk Factors Unique to Women: From Eclampsia to Menopause”; “Classical risk factors in women”; “Vascular drugs and women” and “Proposals to improve the cardiovascular health of women”, as highlighted by Luis Castilla, coordinator Semivascular risk group.
Regarding advances in research in the field of vascular risk, it is known that Myocardial infarction “increases gradually in young and elderly women over 65 years of age.”” On the other hand, the incidence of myocardial infarction without coronary artery obstruction “increases in women under 60 years of age.” Similarly, it has been observed that the increased risk Cardiovascular disease associated with smoking is 25 percent higher in women. than men.
Differences between men and women
Women have more complications after invasive coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass surgery and “are more likely to have diastolic heart failure (HF) with normal systolic function and concentric ventricular hypertrophy with preserved ejection fraction.” They also more susceptible to side effects from medications: digoxin, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics with an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia.” On the other hand, men “have more coronary stenosis and multiple vascular lesions, and are more likely to develop heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF with systolic dysfunction) and eccentric hypertrophy with ventricular dilatation.”
