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The research, conducted by the Aragon Health Services Research Group (GRISSA), involved nearly 4000 people who survived a first acute myocardial infarction. The study involved researchers from the IIS Aragón and the University of Zaragoza.
A study carried out in Aragon has revealed the existence of inequalities in medical care after a myocardial infarction: The of They less frequently receive medications recommended by clinical practice guidelines to prevent new heart problems.
The research, carried out by the Aragon Health Services Research Group (GRISSA), with the participation of researchers from the University of Zaragoza (Unizar) and the Aragon Health Research Institute Foundation (IIS Aragon), analyzed data from Aragonese patients who suffered their first heart attack between 2017 and 2022. The objective was to determine whether gender inequalities existed in the prescription of the most important drugs for recovery and prevention of new events, and what factors could be influencing these differences.
The study found that Some of the key medications to prevent future heart problems (antiplatelet drugs, statins, and beta-blockers) are prescribed less frequently to women compared to men.. On the other hand, other drugs, such as rivaroxaban or calcium channel blockers, which are not first-line agents for heart attack prevention, are more commonly prescribed to women.
The researchers identified several factors that may explain these differences. Age and the presence of other diseases seem to play an important role.: Women who have had a heart attack tend to be older and have more additional health problems than men, which can influence doctors' decisions when prescribing certain drugs. The worst socioeconomic level of women was linked to increased inequalities, with lower prescription rates among women than among men. Finally, the study found that Living in an urban area seems to reduce these differences between men and women.Women living in cities are more likely to receive recommended medications compared to those living in rural areas.
These are some of the main ideas of the study “Gender inequalities in the prescription and initiation patterns of guideline-recommended drugs after acute myocardial infarction”, conducted by the Health Services Research Group of Aragon (GRISSA) and published in BMC Public Health. Researchers from Unizar and the IIS Aragón Foundation, Irene Lopez Ferreruela, Sara Malo Fumanal, Blanca Obon Azuara, Maria Jose Rabanaque Hernandez, Adriana Gamba, Sara Castel Feced and Isabel Aguilar PalacioThe full article can be read at the following link: link.
"Our study highlights the importance of incorporating a gender perspective into post-myocardial infarction care to address existing inequalities," the authors note. "Actions that could be implemented include: ensuring adequate representation of women in clinical trials, a task still pending today, developing separate clinical practice guidelines for men and women, and promoting equity in access to treatments.”
Despite advances in cardiovascular disease care, a care gap remains that can affect the recovery and quality of life of many women. Therefore, the authors emphasize the need to review prescription recommendations and to promote health policies that guarantee a equitable care for all patients.
Main picture: Members of the Health Services Research Group of Aragon (GRISSA).
