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Clinical Application of Phase Angle and BIVA Z-Score Analyses in Patients Admitted to an Emergency Department with Acute Heart Failure
04:05

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Published on: June 30, 2023

Gender differences in patients with heart failure

Anna Strömberg1, Jan Mårtensson

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Heart Centre, Linköping University Hospital, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. annst@imv.liu.se

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|November 19, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Men have higher heart failure incidence, but prevalence is similar due to longer female survival. Women are diagnosed later, often with diastolic dysfunction, impacting quality of life differently.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Sex Differences in Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) affects men and women differently, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of these disparities.
  • Existing research highlights variations in epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and psychosocial impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a literature review examining sex-based differences in heart failure.
  • To analyze disparities in epidemiology, etiology, diagnostics, prognosis, treatment, psychosocial factors, and healthcare utilization.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review utilizing MEDLINE and CINAHL databases.
  • Analysis of 234 abstracts from MEDLINE and 20 from CINAHL focusing on heart failure and gender/sex.

Main Results:

  • Men exhibit higher HF incidence, while prevalence is similar due to longer female survival.
  • Women diagnosed later with HF, often presenting diastolic dysfunction; age influences treatment and care disparities.
  • Distinct psychosocial impacts: men affected by physical/social restrictions, women by inability to support family; women report lower quality of life despite positive illness perception.

Conclusions:

  • Significant sex differences in heart failure epidemiology, clinical presentation, and psychosocial impact exist.
  • Guidelines and standard care must integrate awareness of these gender-specific disparities.
  • Addressing these differences is crucial for improving patient outcomes and quality of life in heart failure management.
Abstract

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