Female-specific Risk Enhancers for Developing Cardiovascular Disease

Traditional factors such as aging, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. However, women may have female-specific risk enhancers, such as adverse pregnancy outcomes and postmenopausal hormone use. These identification of risk enhancers can improve the prediction of cardiovascular disease. Oxygenation-sensitive cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging can assess coronary vascular function, and myocardial oxygenation which are areas impaired in both CVD patients and those without risk factors. Identifying these female-specific risk enhancers could improve the baseline profile of these patients, contributing to diagnosis and treatment. The study aims to classify individuals with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) and those at risk using traditional risk factors, female-specific risk enhancers, and OS-CMR biomarkers. Finally, determining the association between these enhancers and impaired myocardial oxygenation, cardiac parameters, and LV strain.