Women's Vascular Health

This book brings together specialist authors from a variety of medical disciplines to give comprehensive coverage of the whole spectrum of women's vascular health. Covering coronary artery disease and its precursors, venous disease, thrombophilic defects, hormonal therapy and haemorrhagic problems, the content is divided into three sections. Section one reviews generic issues including the pathophysiology of arteriosclerosis, metabolic factors in vascular disease, the epidemiology and management of CHD in women. The management of cardiac syndrome X and the problem of diabetes are also discussed here. The second section looks at women's vascular health as it applies to fertility issues and during pregnancy such as polycystic ovarian disease, menstrual dysfunction, the menopause, venous thromboembolism and haemorrhagic problems. In the concluding third section, hormonal therapy in women and in particular the oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapies are covered. The reader will be given a clear overview of the potential mechanisms whereby such therapy can act as a risk factor for arterial and venous disease, and will receive clear guidance regarding prescribing.