Prague [Czech Republic]: According to a study, women are more than twice as likely as males to die following a heart attack.
"Women of all ages who experience a myocardial infarction are at particularly high risk of a poor prognosis," said study author Dr Mariana Martinho of Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Portugal.
"These women need regular monitoring after their heart event, with strict control of blood pressure, cholesterol levels and diabetes, and referral to cardiac rehabilitation. Smoking levels are rising in young women and this should be tackled, along with promoting physical activity and healthy living."
The study included 884 patients. The average age was 62 years and 27% were women. Women were older than men (average age 67 vs. 60 years) and had higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and prior stroke. Men were more likely to be smokers and have coronary artery disease. The interval between symptoms and treatment with PCI did not differ between women and men overall, but women aged 55 and below had a significantly longer treatment delay after arriving at the hospital than their male peers (95 vs. 80 minutes).
The researchers compared the risk of adverse outcomes between women and men after adjusting for factors that could influence the relationship including diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke and family history of coronary artery disease.
Dr. Martinho said: "Women had a two to three times higher likelihood of adverse outcomes than men in the short- and long-term even after adjusting for other conditions and despite receiving PCI within the same timeframe as men."
She concluded: "The findings are another reminder of the need for greater awareness of the risks of heart disease in women. More research is required to understand why there is gender disparity in prognosis after myocardial infarction so that steps can be taken to close the gap in outcomes." (with ANI inputs)
