Dyslipidemia in Women

Lipid levels of women show a distinct pattern during different stages of their lives. Differences between women and men in lipids and lipoproteins are observed in distribution and trajectory from infancy to adulthood. Transitional periods such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause influence lipid metabolism. Women are equally affected by hereditary dyslipidemias. Women with Familial Hypercholesterolemia, characterized by increased LDL-cholesterol levels from birth onwards, have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease compared to men, most likely because of delayed diagnosis, undertreatment and treatment interruptions because of pregnancy and lactation. Hyperlipoproteinemia(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. AlthoughLlp(a) levels are mainly genetically determined and considered to be stable, Lp(a) levels increase in women after menopause. Despite evidence that lipid lowering treatment is equally effective in women and men, women are undertreated with a result not reaching their LDL-cholesterol targets. Women are less often prescribed statins and other lipid lowering medications, are less likely to be prescribed potent statins and combination lipid lowering therapy.