[Gender perspective in Cardiogeriatrics: can we improve the care of older female patients?]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Geriatrics
• Medical History

Background:

• Yentl syndrome describes gender bias in cardiovascular research, where symptom presentation in men historically influenced clinical judgments for women.
• Heart failure is a prevalent condition in cardiogeriatrics, significantly impacting healthcare resource utilization.
• Prioritizing evidence-based care for older adults with heart failure is essential due to its high morbidity and healthcare burden.

Discussion:

• The historical focus on male-specific cardiovascular symptoms has led to diagnostic and therapeutic disparities for women.
• Understanding gender-specific nuances in heart failure presentation is critical for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment in the elderly population.
• Bridging the knowledge gap in cardiogeriatric research is vital to ensure equitable and optimal patient outcomes.

Key Insights:

• Cardiovascular research must actively address and correct historical gender biases.
• Heart failure management in older adults requires tailored approaches considering potential sex-based differences.
• Evidence-based guidelines need to be inclusive of diverse patient populations to prevent health inequities.

Outlook:

• Future research should focus on sex-specific cardiovascular disease mechanisms and clinical manifestations in older adults.
• Developing gender-sensitive diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for heart failure is a key future direction.
• Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in cardiogeriatrics will enhance the translation of research into clinical practice.