Although heart failure (HF) is often considered "a male problem," about half of the population with HF is female. (Lloyd-Jones et al 2010) By understanding the uniqueness of the female heart's anatomy and physiology and the diagnosis and treatment of HF in women, you can provide better care to your female patients with HF. Just as differences in men and women are seen in HF, so too differences manifest in the risks and symptoms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women compared to men. This clinical update will explore these differences and what they mean to management of heart disease in women