Women and heart failure

Almost half of the patients affected with congestive heart failure (CHF) in the United States are women. However, past studies have included predominantly men and generalized results to women. Many women with CHF are older, have hypertension, and have higher ejection fractions. Survival differences have been reported previously with conflicting results. Although treatment for left ventricular dysfunction is somewhat standardized, treatment for diastolic dysfunction is less defined. Clinical trials for this group of patients, many of whom are women, have not been performed. In comparison with men, women have several cardiovascular differences as well as differences in electrical properties. In addition, response to medical (pharmacologic) therapy may differ in men and women. Finally, functional status has been shown to be compromised in both men and women with CHF; however, some studies have shown women to experience more exercise intolerance. This may be because more women than men have diastolic dysfunction. Few women have been included in exercise trials. Future trials must address women with CHF, many of whom are older and have normal (or near normal) left ventricular function or diastolic dysfunction.