Posted by Dr Michelle Wright
Welcome to Health Matters, the podcast where I break down the latest medical news and research to keep you informed about your health.
I’m Dr Michelle Wright, and today, we’re talking about a troubling new study from Switzerland that highlights a significant imbalance between genders when it comes to treatment and survival rates after cardiac arrest.
What is cardiac arrest and what is one of its leading causes?
Cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating. This means blood is no longer being pumped to the brain and other vital organs. This can cause a person to collapse, lose consciousness, and stop breathing normally.
Cardiac arrest can be caused by many things. One of the leading causes is a heart attack which happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. To be clear, a heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, but they are not the same thing.
Without immediate treatment, cardiac arrest is fatal within minutes. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of death worldwide. But thanks to medical advancements, survival rates have improved. However, it seems not equally for everyone.
What does research from a recent Swiss study show about gender disparities in cardiac care?
A new study from the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel analysed data from around 42,000 cardiac arrest patients across Switzerland between 2008 and 2022. And the results showed that women who suffer a cardiac arrest are less likely to survive compared to men. This is particularly if their cardiac arrest happened outside of a hospital.
The study, published in the medical journal Critical Care, found that women were 18% less likely than men to be admitted to an intensive care unit. And even when they were admitted, they received fewer medical interventions than men before and during their intensive care stay and had a higher risk of dying – 42% of women died compared to 36% of men.
Why does this difference between men and women exist?
Well, the researchers point to several possible factors. This includes biological differences between the genders, socio-cultural influences, and potential unconscious biases in medical decision-making. But they do also say that study limitations restrict definitive conclusions.
Women often experience different symptoms of cardiac distress than men, which can lead to delayed recognition and treatment. In some cases, healthcare professionals may unconsciously prioritise men for advanced interventions.
And this isn’t just a Swiss problem. Gender disparities in cardiac care have been reported in studies from other countries worldwide. Research suggests that women receive Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation from bystanders less often than men. They are also less likely to be referred for life-saving procedures like angioplasty and stent placement.
What can be done about all of the gender disparities?
First, awareness is key. Understanding that these disparities exist can help both medical professionals and the general public take action.
Second, more research is needed to understand better these gender differences and help address them.
And finally, healthcare providers should be trained to recognise and treat cardiac symptoms in women with the same urgency as in men.
My bottom line – if you take one thing away from this episode: heart health doesn’t discriminate, and neither should our medical care or first aid.
If you, or a loved one, experience symptoms of cardiac distress including chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or an irregular heartbeat., seek help immediately – regardless of gender.
