Introduction

Cardiovascular mortality in women is more frequent than breast cancer mortality, a fact which is often overlooked. Women's Heart and Estrogens explores this important women’s health issue with respect to estrogen levels (before and after menopause) as the hormone has been known to mediate cardiovascular effects in women. The handbook includes a description of the structure and biological activity of estrogen and follows up with a detailed reference on the genetics behind estrogen and its effect on the cardiovascular system. Subsequent chapters cover the effects of estrogens on the stages of atherogenesis, actions of estrogens on the vascular wall and on cardiovascular metabolic pathways, causes leading to the development of early onset of coronary heart disease in young women (such as vasculitis and autoimmune diseases), hypercoagulable states, myocardial infarction in hallucinogenic drug abusers, non-atherosclerotic and atherosclerotic coronary heart disease, hormone replacement therapy and postmenopausal risk factors. Medical professionals will also find handy guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention in women.

Women's Heart and Estrogens offers knowledge to readers in a clear and simple manner with detailed images and summaries in each chapter. Guidelines are also presented in a chronological context which demonstrates the development of cardiovascular disease prevention and risk management strategies for women over the years.