Dissecting lipid and lipoprotein issues in women: an in utero-through-menopause journey

Over the last decade, a host of sex differences have been elucidated in the realm of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including both its presentation and response to treatment. It has been suggested that the term 'ischemic heart disease' be used in preference to 'coronary heart disease' when referring to CVD in women, due to the fact that women, even when symptomatic, have lower amounts of obstructive plaque than do men. However, more than 80% of middle-aged women have one or more standard (and numerous novel) CVD risk factors. This review will focus primarily on lipid/lipoprotein biology and plasma concentrations in women, beginning in the fetus and extending through childhood, adolescence, pregnancy, midlife and postmenopausal periods.