AUTHOR=Charfeddine Salma , Abid Leila , Chenik Sarra , Ben Krayen Iheb , Haddar Oussama , Ghrab Aymen , Boudiche Selim , Touati Haithem , Ayedi Oumaima , Ammar Mohamed Amine , Ben Halima Manel , Ben Ayed Houssem , Brahim Asma , ElAyech Faten , Allouche Emna , Thabet Houssem , Mahfoudhi Houaida , Jabloun Taha Yessine , Ayadi Yasmine , Ayadi Alaeddine , Romdhani Ghassen , Gargouri Hassen , Zidi Oumayma , Guedri Mohamed Ali , Tlili Rami , Trabelsi Bechir , Hammami Selim , Othmen Rim , Antit Saoussen , Saidane Syrine , Dardour Sirine , Iddir Skander , Kharrat Elmahdi , Cheikhrouhou Anis , Derwich Mohamed , Mrabet Amal , Lassoued Taha , Rekik Emna , Gmiha Sahar , Laribi Niez , Lamine Hakim , Triki Zied , Ayari Samir , Boujelbene Fatma , Boughzela Essia , Rekik Hajer , Ben Ameur Ines , Abid Syrine , Oueghlani Khalil , Haggui Abddayem , Ben Halima Afef , Ouechtati Wejdene , Bennour Emna , Hammami Rania , Jabeur Mariem , Zairi Ihsen , Drissa Mariem , Addad Faouzi , Milouchi Sami , Mourali Mohamed Sami , Ben Slima Hedi , Bezdah Leila , Neffati Elyes , Ben Ameur Youssef , Kraiem Sondos , Kachboura Salem , Kammoun Ikram , Zakhama Lilia , lbn Hadj Amor Hassen , Ben Hamda Khaldoun , Messoudi Yosra , Ben Hlima Nejah , Dahmani Rana , Gamra Habib , Ibn Elhadj Zied , Denguir Hichem , Ghorbel Chayma , Mechri Nizar , Ernez Hajri Samia , Mebazaa Alexandre , Ben Dhaou Fedi , Trigui Maroua , Fehri Wafa , Abdessalem Salem 

TITLE=Cardiovascular disease in North African women: insights from the Middle East African Women CardioVascular Disease (MEA-WCVD) registry

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1577793

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2025.1577793

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health burden worldwide, yet gender-specific data from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remain scarce. The Middle East African Registry of Women with Cardiovascular Disease enrolled adult patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), or valvular heart disease (VHD) across Tunisia between May and July 2023. Of 15,366 patients, 37.6% were women. Compared with men, women were older, had lower socioeconomic status, and presented with more obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and sedentary lifestyle but smoked less. CHD was less frequent in women, while AF and VHD were more prevalent. Women underwent fewer coronary angiographies and percutaneous interventions, experienced longer delays, and received fewer guideline-based therapies, including dual antiplatelet agents and high-intensity statins. Among HF patients, women more often had preserved ejection fraction and higher hospitalization rates. These results highlight persistent gender inequities in CVD care in Tunisia.