Cardiovascular risk in diabetic women.

Premenopausal women show a lower frequency of cardiovascular events than men of the same age. Diabetes mellitus abolishes the female gender-related differences in the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and diabetic women have rates of ischemic heart disease mortality approaching those of men. However, the reason why diabetes is a stronger predictor of CVD for women than for men is still under debate. We review the risk factors that may contribute to the explanation of this effect. Unique for women is the influence of their hormonal status. Therefore, particular attention will be paid to the beneficial effects of natural estrogen, which may be lost or hidden by diabetes. The issue of gender-sensitive risk factors may also be important for a gender-specific therapeutic approach.