The Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in Women

Coronary heart disease has long been recognized as the leading cause of death among middle-aged men, but it is an equally important cause of death and disability among older women. By the age of 60 years, only 1 in 17 women in the United States has had a coronary event, as compared with 1 in 5 men. After the age of 60, however, coronary heart disease is the primary cause of death among women. In this age group, one in four women, as well as one in four men, die of coronary heart disease. 1 The annual numbers of American women . . .