Differences between men and women on the waiting list for coronary revascularization

Abstract

This study aims to examine the situation for patients on the waiting list for possible coronary revascularization in terms of waiting time, treatment and various aspects of well-being in relation to gender. Patients on the waiting list for coronary angiography, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting in September 1990 were approached with a questionnaire dealing with various aspects as described above. Of the 831 patients who participated in the evaluation, 174 (21%) were women. Although age was similar for men and women, men had a higher prevalence of previous myocardial infarction and a lower prevalence of previous hypertension. In terms of medication, women were more frequently treated with diuretics and sedatives than men. Women reported a higher frequency than men with regard to the following symptoms: chest pain at rest and at night, dyspnoea when walking, tachycardia, tiredness, headache, dizziness and sweating. Women also suffered more frequently from difficulty going to sleep, difficulty waking up, repeated awakening and insomnia. Men, on the other hand, suffered more frequently from restlessness, inability to act and irritability. Among patients on the waiting list for possible coronary revascularization, women differed from men by being more frequently treated with diuretics, reporting a higher frequency of various cardiovascular symptoms including chest pain and dyspnoea and, furthermore, reporting more sleeping disorders. Gender differences were found but they were not consistent.

Extended written pre-operative information about possible complications at cardiac surgery—do the patients want to know?

“…It is true that Bengtson et al [19] reported more nervous reactions by men waiting for coronary revascularization, as compared with women, but the women were more frequently treated with diuretics, and reported a higher frequency of various cardiovascular symptoms, including chest pain, dyspnoea and more sleeping disorders. The women in the control group in the present study were significantly less interested in receiving information, but in the intervention group, the women made telephone calls to the nurse significantly more often than the men.…”

Psychiatric Disorders and Coronary Heart Disease in Women – A Still Neglected Topic: Review of the Literature from 1971 to 2000

“…Accordingly, in a study investigating differences between men and women on a waiting list for coronary revascularization, although age was similar for men and women, men had a higher prevalence of previous myocardial infarction and a lower prevalence of previous hypertension [26]. Women reported a higher frequency of chest pain at rest and at night, dyspnea when walking, tachycardia, tiredness, headache, dizziness, sweating, difficulty falling asleep, difficulty waking up, repeated awakening and insomnia [26]. …”

A gender perspective on sleeplessness behavior, effects of sleep loss, and coping resources in patients with stable coronary artery disease

“…Sleep disturbances predict cardiac events in both sexes without heart disease symptoms at baseline 5 and premature mortality in the general Swedish population, 1,2,5 and in patients with CAD. [6][7][8] This could be the result of nonrestorative sleep function, immune dysfunction, and/or carbohydrate intolerance occurring secondary to sleep loss. 1,2,7,9,10 The prevalence of and information about sleep disturbances among women with CAD have, in previous studies, usually been obtained strictly from a few separate questions.…”