Gender differences in the treatment and secondary prevention of CHD at population level

Objectives. Treatment and secondary prevention measures, received by persons with coronary heart disease (CHD), are insufficiently known at the moment. The aim of this study was to investigate the state of treatment and secondary prevention of CHD in a population-based sample and to analyze possible gender differences in different age groups. Design. 300 men and 300 women with CHD were identified from a nationally representative health examination survey with 88% participation rate, carried out in Finland in 2000-2001. Results. Revascularization had been performed on 34% (95% confidence interval 29, 40%) of men and 13% (8, 18%) of women. Moreover, 76% (71, 81%) of the men and 63% (57, 69%) of the women used antithrombotic medications. Two thirds of both men and women used beta-blockers and one third lipid-lowering medication. Smoking was more common among men, whereas obesity and high total cholesterol concentration were more common among women. Conclusions. Secondary prevention of CHD is far from optimal and there are gender differences in the care of CHD.