Four major US medical organisations have introduced a coordinated framework aimed at improving heart disease prevention, early detection and treatment among girls and women, with recommendations covering puberty through menopause and beyond.
The American Heart Association (AHA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine jointly released the guidance on October 26. The three-part publication appeared in the journal Circulation and outlines how female-specific biological changes can influence cardiovascular health throughout life. 
Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death among women in the United States and worldwide. However, women's cardiovascular risks can be overlooked when healthcare is divided between specialties that do not consistently share information.
The new framework identifies four life stages: the period surrounding the first menstrual cycle, the reproductive years, perimenopause and postmenopause. Pregnancy is also recognised as an important event that can reveal previously undetected cardiovascular risks.
The guidance highlights menstrual irregularities, pregnancy complications and changes in cholesterol and metabolic health during the menopausal transition as factors that may warrant closer medical attention. These developments can provide opportunities to identify risks earlier and improve long-term prevention.
The organisations also call for better coordination between paediatricians, obstetricians, gynaecologists and cardiologists. They propose establishing comprehensive centres dedicated to women's cardiovascular care, combining clinical services, professional training, research and community engagement.
The recommendations aim to make cardiovascular risk assessment a continuous process rather than a concern addressed only in later adulthood. Researchers also emphasise the need for more evidence specific to women and better implementation of existing knowledge.
Although the framework was developed in the United States, its emphasis on early detection and coordinated care highlights issues relevant to wider discussions about women's cardiovascular health.

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