Referral patterns and exercise response in the rehabilitation of female coronary patients aged ≥62 years

A Multisite Examination of Sex Differences in Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers by Participation Status

“…In the United States and Canada 21 , approximately 15-30% of eligible patients participate in CR, with the rate for women being much lower at 11-20% 23 . The percentage of women in CR is 20% lower than what would be expected based on coronary morbidity data 17,24 . This is despite the fact that clinical practice guidelines 3,25 , and those specifically developed for women with CVD 26 recommend that women participate in CR post-acute coronary syndrome or revascularization intervention.…”

“…CR has been shown to reduce mortality by 25% 4,5 , to reduce the need for rehospitalization and the use of interventional procedures, and to have beneficial effects on cardiac risk factors, exercise capacity, psychosocial well-being, and health behaviors [6][7][8][9] , all in a cost-effective manner [10][11][12] . Studies of CR outcomes have generally revealed no major differences between men and women in terms of changes in risk factors, functional capacity and quality of life 9,[13][14][15][16][17][18] Despite its proven benefits and need, women are significantly less likely to participate in and complete CR 13,[19][20][21][22] . In the United States and Canada 21 , approximately 15-30% of eligible patients participate in CR, with the rate for women being much lower at 11-20% 23 .…”

Disparities in women’s referral to and enrollment in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation

“…2,3 Despite the preponderance of this evidence, less than 25% of patients eligible for cardiac rehabilitation services enroll in an early outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. 4,5 The few studies that have reported genderspecific data show that women have lower attendance and higher dropout rates from outpatient cardiac rehabilitation compared with men. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Although the data are limited, the dropout rate is even higher for African-American women compared with white women (49% vs 36%, respectively), 10 and a national survey revealed that only 9.3% of female participants in cardiac rehabilitation programs in 1990 were nonwhite.…”

“…4,5 The few studies that have reported genderspecific data show that women have lower attendance and higher dropout rates from outpatient cardiac rehabilitation compared with men. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Although the data are limited, the dropout rate is even higher for African-American women compared with white women (49% vs 36%, respectively), 10 and a national survey revealed that only 9.3% of female participants in cardiac rehabilitation programs in 1990 were nonwhite. 11 These findings are striking because AfricanAmerican women have a greater incidence of CHD compared with white women and hence a greater proportion are presumably eligible for cardiac rehabilitation.…”

Effects of a telephone counseling intervention on psychosocial adjustment in women following a cardiac event

“…[8][9][10][11][12] Age-related factors such as increased incidence of comorbidities and fatigue, and multiple role commitments also limit women's ability to participate in cardiac rehabilitation and other outpatient based interventions. [13][14][15][16] Delivery of an education and support intervention, specifically designed for women and delivered by telephone, offers an inexpensive, convenient, alternative method of delivery. It is unclear what factors other than the intervention might influence psychosocial recovery in women.…”