Sex-specific diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases

There are relevant sex-specific differences for coronary heart disease, heart failure, takotsubo syndrome and atrial fibrillation. The underrepresentation of women in clinical studies and the fact that sex-specific aspects and analyses are still insufficiently taken into consideration in preclinical and clinical research raises questions on the transferability of research results to women and strongly contrasts with the generally agreed requirements of evidence-based medicine. Sex-specific aspects are not always adequately addressed even in guidelines. Less than half of 24 ESC guidelines from 2018-2023 contain a corresponding section. In more recent recommendations, such as the guidelines on hypertension from 2024, sex-specific considerations are discussed, also with regards to the "gaps of evidence". In this context, in addition to the demands for more prospective sex-specific studies and data on epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology and outcomes, the importance of providing evidence with respect to sex-specific optimal dosages, effects and undesired side effects of drugs are also the subjects of discussion.