Reduced quality of life after myocardial infarction in women compared with men

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial factors have been suggested as risk factors for atherosclerotic disease. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of the present study was to examine whether there is a gender difference in quality of life after a myocardial infarction with modem treatment of acute ischemic heart disease. METHODS: In all, 123 men and women aged between 31 and 80 years, and with a hospital-diagnosed myocardial infarction occurring 1-12 months prior to inclusion, were studied. Minor symptoms evaluation profile (MSEP) was used to estimate quality of life at entry. RESULTS: Age, hemodynamic data, smoking habits, as well as laboratory data, concomitant cardiovascular disease, and revascularization rate did not differ between men and women. Women had significantly more negative feelings regarding all the estimated dimensions of quality of life (Contentment, Vitality, and Sleep) than did men. CONCLUSION: Self-assessed quality of life after a myocardial infarction was significantly lower among women than among men despite similar age, treatment, and hemodynamic and laboratory data. The causal relationship is however, not known. Further studies are needed to evaluate the underlying mechanism of this observation. This may lead to the development of novel treatment strategies in female patients after a myocardial infarction.