Coronary heart disease in women: Less extensive disease and improved long-term survival compared to men

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of the study was to compare extent of coronary disease and subsequent long-term survival in women compared to men adjusted for baseline differences in demographics and morbidity. Design. In the database at Feiring Heart Clinic 18 767 patients had a coronary angiographic examination in the period from March 1999 to December 31, 2006. Their survival status as of May 31, 2007 was ascertained through the Norwegian National Registry. Survival was compared using age stratified analyses and Cox regression adjusting for baseline differences. Results. Significantly more women than men had no coronary disease (28.7 vs. 10.5%, p <0.001), while three vessel disease was more frequently present in men (38.7 vs. 21.8%, p <0.001), as judged by coronary angiography. Covariate adjusted survival was significantly better in women compared to men with an overall hazard ratio of 1.29 (p <0.001), but with no significant difference in the subgroup with high left ventricular end diastolic pressure. Conclusions. At the time of referral to invasive examination women had less extensive coronary artery disease than men as judged by coronary angiography and improved long-term survival when baseline differences were accounted for. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd.