#230 ‒ Cardiovascular disease in women: prevention, risk factors, lipids, and more | Erin Michos, M.D.

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter's Weekly Newsletter Erin Michos is an internationally-known leader in preventive cardiology and women's cardiovascular health. In this episode, Erin discusses current trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) through the lens of female biology and the observation that major adverse cardiac events in both sexes are on the rise. She walks through risk factors including LDL-cholesterol, apoB, and Lp(a) and makes the case for the importance of early preventative measures. She explains various interventions for reducing risk including a discussion of statins, GLP-1 agonists, PCSK9-inhibitors, and drugs that lower Lp(a). She goes in-depth on female-specific factors that contribute to CVD risk such as pregnancy, grand multiparity (having five or more children), oral contraceptives, menopause, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Additionally, she explains her approach with patients as it relates to the use of hormone replacement therapy and provides advice for people wanting to lower risk both through lifestyle changes and medications. We discuss: Erin's background in preventive cardiology and women's health [2:30]; Recent trends in cardiovascular disease in women, mortality data, and how it compares to cancer [5:15]; Why early preventative measures are critical for cardiovascular disease risk [13:15]; ApoB as a causal agent of CVD, and why high apoB levels are not being aggressively treated in most cases [19:45]; The rising trend of metabolic syndrome and other factors contributing to the regression in progress of reducing cardiac events [27:00]; GLP-1 agonists—Promising drugs for treating diabetes and obesity [33:30]; Female-specific risk factors for ASCVD (pre- and post-menopause) [37:15]; Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): prevalence, etiology, and impact on metabolic health, lipids and fertility [47:00]; The effect of grand multiparity (having 5+ children) o