• Women present at a later age.
• In women, typical angina is less predictive of coronary artery disease.
• Probability is 50 to 60 percent in women (versus 80 to 99 percent in men).
• Women may present with shoulder or jaw pain, dyspnea or nausea.

• Diabetes has a stronger influence in women.
• High HDL (high‐density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels, which lower the risk of coronary artery disease, are more common in women.
• The roles of total cholesterol, LDL(low‐density lipoprotein) cholesterol and lipoprotein in women are unclear.
• The risk of coronary artery disease increases after menopause. Prognosis
• Women are more likely to die of a first myocardial infarction.
• Women experience more long‐term disability.
• Women have more co‐morbidity (because they are usually older on presentation).

• There is insufficient evidence for the benefits of cholesterol‐lowering drugs in women.
• There is insufficient evidence for the benefit of estrogen replacement therapy.

• Women are less likely to undergo angioplasty or bypass surgery.
• Fewer women receive cardiac rehabilitation.
• Fewer women receive therapy with aspirin, beta blockers or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

• Kills more than 500,000 Americans annually.
• 85% can be halted or prevented if it is discovered early enough.
• MDCT provides a simple and reliable test that identifies those with early CAD so treatment can be started before the disease worsens.

Evolution of Plaque in Coronary Artery Disease