New research shows Australian women who have heart attacks are less likely to receive treatment and are at a greater risk of experiencing problems with their care than men, writes TheConversation.com. The study, published today in the Medical Journal of Australia, set out to examine whether – all things being equal – women with a STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) type of heart attack have the same outcomes as men. Researchers analysed data from a large national registry that collects information about patients who have had heart attacks and been admitted to 41 Australian hospitals. They found that women with a STEMI heart attack were less likely to undergo coronary angiography – a special X-ray of the heart’s arteries – to see if they are narrowed or blocked than men. Women were more likely to have a serious problem with their care after their heart attack than their male peers, and were less likely to be referred for cardiac rehabilitation (for things like exercise and nutrition advice), or to be prescribed medications.
Read more:
- TheConversation.com: https://theconversation.com/women-who-have-heart-attacks-receive-poorer-care-than-men-100161
- Differences in management and outcomes for men and women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Medical Journal of Australia. 23 July 2018