Cardiovascular disease may be associated with several comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, and the metabolic syndrome, which are predominantly observed in women and often starting at particular ages. In addition, common treatment options for carcinomas frequently seen in women may induce serious cardiotoxic effects. We review the scope of the problem, the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved, as well as the resulting abnormalities regarding cardiac structure and function as observed by using imaging techniques.
Keywords: Cardiac remodeling; Cardio-oncology; Comorbidities in women with heart disease; Diabetes mellitus; Estrogen; Heart failure; Left ventricle; Menopause; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; Review; Right ventricle; Thyroid disease.