111 - MANAGING THE WOMAN AT RISK 2025 RISK PREDICTORS AND BROKEN CALCULATORS, THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS, AND AN UPDATE CARDIO ONCOLOGY FOR THE CV PRACTITIONER

Co-Chair(s)

• 

  Shuangbo Liu, MD, FRCPC

  Interventional Cardiologist/Assistant Professor
  University of Manitoba
  University of Manitoba
• KN

  Kara Nerenberg, M.D.

  Associate Professor
  University of Calgary, Libin Cardiovascular Institute

Panelist(s)

• 

  Judy Luu, MD/PhD

  Cardiologist
  McGill University Health Centre
  McGill University

Presenter(s)

• 

  Husam Abdel-Qadir, MD, PhD

  Associate Professor, Department of Medicine and Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation
  University of Toronto
  Women's College Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto
• 

  Beth Abramson, MD MSc FRCPC FACC

  Cardiologist, Paul Albrechtsen Prof. of CV Prevention, U of T
  St. Michael's Hospital
  University of Toronto
• JG

  Jean-Philippe Gouin, PhD Professor, Concordia University
• 

  Judy Luu, MD/PhD

  Cardiologist
  McGill University Health Centre
  McGill University
• SN

  Seana Nelson, MD MSc FRCPC
• AP

  Amélie Paquin, MD, PhD

  Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie Et de Pneumologie de Québec

Early Career(s)

• AP

  Amélie Paquin, MD, PhD

  Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie Et de Pneumologie de Québec

Trainee(s)

• SN

  Seana Nelson, MD MSc FRCPC

Moderator(s)

• 

  Beth Abramson, MD MSc FRCPC FACC

  Cardiologist, Paul Albrechtsen Prof. of CV Prevention, U of T
  St. Michael's Hospital
  University of Toronto

Planning Committee Member(s)

• 

  Beth Abramson, MD MSc FRCPC FACC

  Cardiologist, Paul Albrechtsen Prof. of CV Prevention, U of T
  St. Michael's Hospital
  University of Toronto
• DE

  Daniel Esau, M.H.Sc., M.D., FRCPC

  Internal Medicine Physician/Clinical Instructor
  University of British Columbia
  University of British Columbia
• 

  Judy Luu, MD/PhD

  Cardiologist
  McGill University Health Centre
  McGill University
• SP

  Stephanie Poon, MD, MSc, FRCPC

  Staff Cardiologist
  Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
  University of Toronto
• 

  Tara Sedlak, MD, FRCPC, MBA (she/her/hers)

  Cardiologist, Director Leslie Diamond Women’s Heart Health Clinic
  Vancouver General Hospital
  University of British Columbia

Workshop Description: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women presents unique challenges in both risk stratification and management. This interactive, case-based workshop will provide a practical clinical roadmap for recognizing and addressing the distinct risks for CVD in women, emphasizing an individualized and sex-specific approach to care.

The role of psychological stress in women and its relationship to CVD is complex and multifaceted. Women experience higher rates of psychosocial stress and are more vulnerable to its cardiovascular effects, including inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, and autonomic dysregulation. Emerging evidence highlights that stress can accelerate the development of ischemic heart disease in women, even in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Conditions like depression and anxiety—more common in women—remain under-recognized yet significant contributors to cardiovascular risk. These findings highlight the urgent need for prevention strategies that address mental wellness as a core component of cardiovascular care in women.

As women tend to present with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) at an older age, they are also more likely to have pre-existing comorbidities, such as a history of cancer. Notably, one in eight women is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The intersection between oncology and cardiology is increasingly relevant, as cancer treatments—particularly anthracyclines, HER2-targeted therapies, and radiation—can lead to cardiotoxicity and elevate long-term cardiovascular risk. These complexities necessitate a proactive approach to cardiovascular prevention in female cancer survivors.

Cardiovascular risk estimation in women remains a significant challenge. Traditional tools such as the Framingham Risk Score often underestimate risk, particularly in younger women or those with non-traditional risk factors. Women are affected differently by traditional CVD risk factors than men and may present with unique risk enhancers such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, premature menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Despite their impact, these sex-specific risk factors are rarely included in standard risk calculators. This workshop will address these gaps using illustrative clinical cases to demonstrate an integrative approach to risk assessment.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of sex- and gender-specific cardiovascular risk factors and gain practical tools for improving risk communication, prevention strategies, and longitudinal care planning for women across the lifespan—including during and after cancer treatment.