Males are affected about six times more often than females and it seems as
if their hormones protect women from arterial disease until after the menopause.
After that the female seems to be at just as high a risk. The difference in
incidence between males and females is gradually changing and it is evident that
more women are getting the problem, probably because of increased smoking,
although it is still far commoner in men.
The disease usually produces symptoms between the ages of 40 and 70.
It can present at a younger age and if it does the disease usually progresses
more quickly. 