Heart matters: the unique landscape of cardiovascular health in women.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally, despite significant public health efforts. The identification and targeting of modifiable risk factors - including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking and obesity - have led to significant improvements in patient outcomes over the past 60 years. However, current strategies based on this model have been shown to underestimate CVD risk in women and they are less frequently targeted compared to men. In addition, female-specific biological differences known to contribute to CVD are frequently understudied or excluded from risk stratification efforts. This review explores the unique epidemiological burden, pathobiology and outcomes of CVD in women; the influence of traditional and sex-specific risk factors; and both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that may improve clinical outcomes in the future.