Women Fare Worse Than Men Following a Heart Attack

Middle-aged women are in worse shape both before and after having a heart attack than men, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions in June 2014.

The researchers analyzed data from 3,501 patients aged 55 and under (median age 48) who had a heart attack. The patients answered questionnaires about their physical and mental health a few weeks prior to their heart attack, immediately after their hospitalization, and 12 months following their heart attacks. One year after their heart attacks, the women reported having a lower quality of life, poorer mental and physical functioning, and more physical limitations and chest pain than the men.

The researchers said that poorer outcomes in women may be due to several factors, including having more pre-existing risk factors prior to their heart attacks, having more life and work responsibilities pre- and post-heart attacks, and having limited access to health care. In addition, biological factors specific to women that have not yet been identified may affect risks for and recovery from heart attacks. They called for a greater focus on identifying middle-aged women who are at higher risk of a heart attack, as well as greater attention to their follow-up care if they do have a heart attack.

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