The Effects of Lipophilic Vitamins on Women’s Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health concern for both men and women. However, disease manifestation in women differs from that in men, with women more likely to be diagnosed with microvascular coronary disease, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and endothelial dysfunction. Men, on the other end, are more prone to macrovascular disease or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Furthermore, although women are considered to be generally protected from CVD at the pre-menopausal stage, having pre-existing comorbidity, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity or smoking, increases the risk for cardiovascular disease in the younger years in women to similar extent as in men. However, although there is strong evidence suggesting differences in CVD between men and women, CVD in women remains under-studied and under-diagnosed and therefore, there is an increasing need to understand the key differences between men and women in regards to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of CVD. Lipophilic vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, have emerged as crucial factors in maintaining optimal cardiovascular health. These vitamins exhibit potential cardioprotective effects by mitigating key cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia, inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the impact of lipophilic vitamins on women’s heart health. We discuss the clinical and epidemiological evidence of the effects of lipophilic vitamins, the potential risks and considerations associated with their intake, and future directions to utilize lipophilic vitamins in the prevention and management of CVD in women.