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Cardiac
rehabilitation has been shown to decrease the risk of death
from heart disease by 25 percent, but a new study finds that
men are far more likely than women to be referred to such
programs after a heart attack or with unstable angina.
As reported
in the April issue of General Hospital Psychiatry, this disparity
based on sex applies even when women are good candidates for
rehabilitation. And even when referred, women were found to
complete the programs less frequently than men.
Lead researcher
Sherry L. Grace, of the University Health Network Women's
Health Program in Toronto, said the study found that physicians
or cardiologists refer 32 percent of eligible men to cardiac
rehabilitation compared to only 21 percent of eligible women.
She explained that the disparity could be due to women having
generally less income and less confidence that they can take
action to improve their heart health than men.
Although
cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability
among both men and women, Grace said women have repeatedly
been shown to be less likely to recover well. A woman who
has a heart attack is more likely than a man to have a second
attack or die within the first year, she added.
"Because
virtually all studies demonstrate that women benefit from
cardiac rehab, health professionals, family and friends need
to be informed about sex differences in referral," Grace
said. "Coronary intensive care units and comprehensive
cardiac rehab programs should include appropriate mental health
professionals to identify and address vital psychosocial aspects
of recovery" such as those that predict a patient's likelihood
of participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program.
Source:
Heart
Disease Week of May 5, 2002
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