Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025
06:57
Effects of Surgical Masks on Cardiopulmonary Function in Healthy Subjects
Published on: February 12, 2021
3.2K
Sex differences in cardiologic medication provision for adults with coronary heart disease: an analysis of health
Steffen Fleischer1, Stephanie Heinrich2, Gabriele Meyer3
1Martin-Luther-University Halle Wittenberg, Medical Faculty, Institute of Nursing and Health Science, Magdeburger Str. 8, 06108, Halle (Saale) , Germany. steffen.fleischer@medizin.uni-halle.de.
BMC Health Services Research
|March 6, 2024
Summary
Women with coronary heart diseases (CHD) in Saxony-Anhalt utilized fewer cardiology services and statin prescriptions compared to men. This highlights significant sex disparities in healthcare access and treatment for CHD patients, particularly women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Coronary heart diseases (CHD) are a leading global cause of death, with particularly high rates in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
- Existing research on CHD risk factors in Saxony-Anhalt has not addressed sex differences in healthcare utilization and medication.
- This study addresses the gap by investigating sex-based disparities in cardiological care for adults with CHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in the quality and quantity of cardiological care provided to adults with CHD.
- To analyze sex-based variations in healthcare service utilization and medication adherence among CHD patients.
- To identify potential factors influencing these sex differences in CHD care.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of health claims data from 2018-2020 for 133,661 individuals with CHD.
- Examination of healthcare service utilization in primary and specialist care.
- Assessment of adherence to medication guideline recommendations, including statin prescription.
Main Results:
- Continuous cardiologist utilization was lower for females (15.0%) than males (22.2%).
- Female CHD patients were significantly less likely to use statins (35.2%) compared to males (50.1%), a difference that persisted after adjustments.
- Participation in disease management programs (DMPs) and cardiologist care mitigated some sex differences in medication uptake, but not statin use.
Conclusions:
- Significant sex differences exist in the utilization of cardiological healthcare services and statin prescription for CHD patients in Saxony-Anhalt.
- These findings highlight the need for interventions to reduce sex inequalities in healthcare access and provision for CHD.
- Further investigation into healthcare system, patient, and physician factors is crucial to improve statin prescription, especially for women with CHD.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers
338
β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation,...
338
01:16Antianginal Drugs: Nitrates and β-Blockers
586
In cardiovascular health, antianginal drugs combat angina pectoris — a condition marked by chest pain owing to diminished blood flow to the heart.
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow....
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, play a pivotal role. Once metabolized, they liberate nitric oxide, a molecular marvel. Nitric oxide triggers guanylyl cyclase and augments cGMP production. This biochemical cascade orchestrates the relaxation of vascular smooth muscles, ushering in vasodilation and enhancing coronary blood flow....
586
01:18Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications
2.8K
Cardiovascular diseases, encompassing a range of conditions, can significantly affect the heart's operations and the overall circulatory system. These conditions impair the heart's ability to pump blood, leading to a deficit in oxygen supply to crucial organs. Anomalies in the heart's electrical system, known as arrhythmias, can cause heartbeats to accelerate or slow down. Usually, heart rates increase during physical activity and decrease while resting or sleeping. However,...
2.8K
01:24Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers
743
Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which...
743
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
429
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
429
01:25Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
512
Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
512