The role of sex-specific results reporting in cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death among women worldwide. In the United States, more women than men die of CVD every year. Research has shown that there are important sex differences in terms of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in patients with CVD. Although women are being included in clinical trials in increasing numbers, lack of knowledge about sex differences persists because sex-specific analysis and reporting of sex-specific results remains limited. This knowledge gap limits the ability of health care professionals to provide optimal care for both women and men. Ongoing support and encouragement is needed for both the inclusion of sufficient numbers of women in clinical trials and for the reporting of sex-specific results of CVD trials. This increased knowledge and awareness can then be used to optimize high quality care for men and women.