An approach to asymptomatic and atypically or typically symptomatic women with cardiac disease

The evaluation of women who are asymptomatic or presenting for evaluation of stable cardiac disease symptoms has been the focus of much research in the past decade. The rationale for this research has been that fatality rates for coronary heart disease remain higher for women than men. Detection of high-risk populations is a core component of targeted therapeutic risk reduction and is a valuable way to identify women who may benefit from early intervention that could result in improved clinical outcomes. This article discusses the evidence on assessment of women with and without suspected cardiac symptoms.