Gender Disparities Persist in Peripheral Vascular Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
TL;DR
Identifying disparities in PVD between men and women provides a competitive edge in tailored prevention and treatment strategies.
The scientific statement on Sex Differences in Peripheral Vascular Disease outlines key research priorities to mitigate disparities in risk factors, screening, treatment, and outcomes.
Addressing gaps in PVD diagnosis, treatment, and care improves health equity, leading to a better quality of life and longer survival for women with PVD.
Women with PVD may experience atypical symptoms, emphasizing the need for targeted screening and tailored treatment strategies for improved outcomes.
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A comprehensive scientific statement from the American Heart Association exposes substantial disparities in peripheral vascular disease (PVD) diagnosis and treatment between men and women, underscoring the urgent need for targeted research and tailored medical approaches.
The statement, published in Circulation, reveals that women with PVD often experience subtle or atypical symptoms, leading to underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Across multiple vascular conditions, including peripheral artery disease, aortic disease, and vasculitis, women face unique challenges that significantly impact their health outcomes.
Key findings demonstrate that women with peripheral artery disease frequently experience functional limitations, walking at slower speeds and covering shorter distances compared to men. Moreover, Black women face higher lifetime risks and are less likely to receive evidence-based treatments.
In aortic diseases, women are diagnosed at older ages and present with more severe conditions. They experience disproportionately higher risks of aneurysm rupture and mortality, with 30% of ruptures occurring in smaller aneurysms compared to only 8% in men.
The scientific statement calls for critical priorities, including enhanced clinical education, improved screening strategies, and increased representation of women in clinical trials. Researchers emphasize the need to analyze data by sex and establish optimal treatment strategies that account for women's unique physiological characteristics.
Dr. Esther S.H. Kim, chair of the writing group, stressed that while heart disease differences between genders are increasingly recognized, equivalent focus on vascular diseases remains lacking. The statement aims to promote health equity and improve long-term prognosis for women with PVD.
Curated from NewMediaWire
