Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills almost as many women as men. Of 17.5 million persons worldwide dying from CVD each year, over 8.6 million are women, more than from all cancers (including breast cancer), tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome), and malaria combined. Most cardiovascular deaths could be prevented in both sexes. Risk factors may differ in impact according to gender. Ischemic heart disease presents later in women, who are therefore older and more likely to suffer from comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. Specific hormone-related risk factors include polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature menopause, and gestational diabetes or hypertension. Hormone replacement therapy has failed to show any benefit in terms of CVD in women, mainly because of associated adverse effects...