Who Is at Risk for Coronary Microvascular Disease?

Coronary microvascular disease can affect both men and women. However, women may be at risk for coronary microvascular disease if they have lower than normal levels of estrogen at any point in their adult lives. (This refers to the estrogen that the ovaries produce, not the estrogen used in hormone therapy.) Low estrogen levels before menopause can raise younger women’s risk for the disease. Causes of low estrogen levels in younger women can be mental stress or a problem with the function of the ovaries.

The causes of coronary microvascular disease and atherosclerosis are also considered risk factors for the disease.