Women undergo important changes in sex hormones throughout their lifetime that can impact cardiovascular disease risk. Whereas the traditional cardiovascular risk factors dominate in older age, there are several female-specific risk factors and inflammatory risk variables that influence a woman's risk at younger and middle age. Hypertensive pregnancy disorders and gestational diabetes are associated with a higher risk in younger women. Menopause transition has an additional adverse effect to ageing that may demand specific attention to ensure optimal cardiovascular risk profile and quality of life. In this position paper, we provide an update of gynaecological and obstetric conditions that interact with cardiovascular risk in women. Practice points for clinical use are given according to the latest standards from various related disciplines (Figure 1).

• Keywords
• Coronary artery disease, Female-specific risk factors, Hypertensive pregnancy disorders, Ischaemic heart disease, Menopausal hormone therapy, Menopause, Sexual health women, Transgender,
• MeSH
• Endocrinologists MeSH
• Cardiologists * MeSH
• Cardiovascular Diseases * epidemiology   etiology   MeSH
• Consensus MeSH
• Quality of Life MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Menopause MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Many aspects of reproduction have been associated with increased blood pressure and impaired glucose metabolism that reveals a subsequent increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this review is to assess reproductive life factors associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, e.g., early life programming, sexual, and reproductive health in men and women. RECENT FINDINGS: Impaired fetal growth, with low birth weight adjusted for gestational age, has been found associated with hypertension in adulthood. Erectile dysfunction, currently considered an early diagnostic marker of cardiovascular disease preceding the manifestation of coronary artery disease by several years, frequently coexisting with hypertension, could also be exacerbated by some antihypertensive drugs. Male hypogonadism or subfertility are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy including preeclampsia represent a major cause of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity, and mortality. The risk of developing preeclampsia can be substantially reduced in women at its high or moderate risk with a low dose of acetylsalicylic acid initiated from 12 weeks of gestation. An increased risk of hypertension in women following invasive-assisted reproductive technologies has been newly observed. Blood pressure elevation has been noticed following contraceptive pill use, around the menopause and in postmenopausal age. Furthermore, drug treatment of hypertension has to be considered as a factor with a potential impact on reproduction (e.g., due to teratogenic drug effects). In summary, a deeper understanding of reproductive life effects on hypertension and metabolic abnormalities may improve prediction of future cardiovascular disease.

• Keywords
• Assisted reproductive technologies, Erectile dysfunction, Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, Low birth weight, Male hypogonadism, Oral contraception,
• MeSH
• Antihypertensive Agents MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Hypertension * MeSH
• Cardiovascular Diseases * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Low Birth Weight MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pre-Eclampsia * MeSH
• Reproductive Health * MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Antihypertensive Agents MeSH