Men with angina are twice as likely to have a heart attack and almost three times as likely to suffer a heart disease-related death than women with the same condition, a new study has found.
The study, led by researchers from NUI Galway, looked at the health of almost 1,800 people (with an average age 62 years) newly diagnosed with angina.
Underlying conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, were recorded and cardiovascular risk factors, such as smoking and obesity, were also assessed. The participants were tracked for five years.
The study found that being male, older and a smoker was associated with an increased risk of having a heart attack, while being male, older, obese and a smoker were each associated with an increased risk of death from heart disease or any cause.
The likelihood of having a procedure to open up blocked arteries, known as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery, was also higher in men than in women. But, interestingly, neither procedure was associated with significantly improved survival.
The researchers said: “Angina must be taken seriously. This research really shows how important it is for people with angina to change their lifestyle and take their tablets.”
The study was published in the British Medical Journal.
