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Female heart patients 'lose out' Female heart patients 'lose out'
(41 minutes later)
Women with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are less likely to be effectively treated than men and more likely to die, research suggests. Women with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are less likely to get effective care than men and more likely to die from the condition, research suggests.
This may be partly because CVD tends to affect women at an older age, at a time when they are more likely to have other diseases too.This may be partly because CVD tends to affect women at an older age, at a time when they are more likely to have other diseases too.
However, the researchers warn there is also a misguided assumption that men are more prone to CVD.However, the researchers warn there is also a misguided assumption that men are more prone to CVD.
The study, by East Sussex NHS Trust, appears in Menopause International.The study, by East Sussex NHS Trust, appears in Menopause International.
Women with heart disease are an under-appreciated, under-treated iceberg of illness Dr Guy LloydConsultant cardiologistWomen with heart disease are an under-appreciated, under-treated iceberg of illness Dr Guy LloydConsultant cardiologist
The researchers found that female CVD patients were more likely to die within 30 days of a heart attack.The researchers found that female CVD patients were more likely to die within 30 days of a heart attack.
Women were less likely to receive standard medications for heart disease and less likely to be enrolled on rehabilitation programmes.Women were less likely to receive standard medications for heart disease and less likely to be enrolled on rehabilitation programmes.
They were also less likely to receive an angiogram to assess the extent of coronary disease and consequently undergo less angioplasty (artery widening) and bypass operations.They were also less likely to receive an angiogram to assess the extent of coronary disease and consequently undergo less angioplasty (artery widening) and bypass operations.
Researcher Dr Guy Lloyd, a consultant cardiologist, said the signs of CVD in women were often more subtle than in men.Researcher Dr Guy Lloyd, a consultant cardiologist, said the signs of CVD in women were often more subtle than in men.
Women are more likely to develop breathlessness, feelings of fatigue and malaise, and pain that is not located in the chest.Women are more likely to develop breathlessness, feelings of fatigue and malaise, and pain that is not located in the chest.
He said: "Women with heart disease are an under-appreciated, under-treated iceberg of illness.He said: "Women with heart disease are an under-appreciated, under-treated iceberg of illness.
"Current methods to detect female heart disease, such as exercise treadmill tests, simply fail either to establish who is at risk or the subsequent chances of survival.""Current methods to detect female heart disease, such as exercise treadmill tests, simply fail either to establish who is at risk or the subsequent chances of survival."
Few women in trialsFew women in trials
The researchers said that women have often been under-represented, or completely excluded in tests and trials of new heart treatments.The researchers said that women have often been under-represented, or completely excluded in tests and trials of new heart treatments.
They argue that there is a pressing need to ensure cardiovascular trials are specifically designed to include women, and that diagnostic tests and treatments are more tailored towards their needs.They argue that there is a pressing need to ensure cardiovascular trials are specifically designed to include women, and that diagnostic tests and treatments are more tailored towards their needs.
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, agreed and said a representative sample of women should be included in all trials of new tests and treatment.Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, agreed and said a representative sample of women should be included in all trials of new tests and treatment.
He said: "Sadly, heart disease kills more women every year than any other disease, so it's vital that they are diagnosed and cared for properly.He said: "Sadly, heart disease kills more women every year than any other disease, so it's vital that they are diagnosed and cared for properly.
"We already know that women tend to have a worse outcome than men because they get their heart disease when they are older and sicker."We already know that women tend to have a worse outcome than men because they get their heart disease when they are older and sicker.
"Also, symptoms of heart disease can be less obvious in women than in men, which may lead to a delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment.""Also, symptoms of heart disease can be less obvious in women than in men, which may lead to a delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment."