In a recent study, researchers find that death rates from heart failure are higher for women than men, and that hospitalization rates have increased in women while declining in men.
Heart failure is a major cause of illness and death, and it accounts for 35% of total female cardiovascular deaths.
Recent research indicates heart failure rates have declined, but how the different disease outcomes in men and women is not clear.
To understand sex differences in heart failure outcomes, researchers from University of Ottawa looked at data on more than 90 000 patients diagnosed with heart failure in Ontario over 5 years (2009 to 2014).
Of all the patients, 47% were female and were more likely to be older and frailer, to have lower income and to have multiple chronic illnesses.
The number of new heart failure cases was lowest in 2011 and 2012, then began to rise the following year.
Within one year of follow-up after diagnosis, 16.8% (7156) women died compared with 14.9% (7138) men.
During the study period, hospitalization rates for women surpassed rates for men, with 98 women per 1000 hospitalized in 2013 compared with 91 per 1000 men.
This is the first of a series of studies to examine the sex differences in heart failure incidence, outcomes, care delivery and access in Ontario.
The researchers suggest that mortality from heart failure remains high, especially in women.
Further studies will focus on sex differences in health-seeking behavior, medical therapy and response to therapy to improve outcomes in women.
The study is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Copyright © 2018 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
Follow Knowridge Science Report on Facebook and Twitter.
News source: Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Figure legend: This Knowridge.com image is for illustrative purposes only.
