Recent research from Amsterdam UMC sheds light on the disparate impacts of cardiac arrest on men and women. Survivors, particularly women, are shown to experience elevated rates of anxiety and depression in the aftermath of their ordeal.
Cardiac arrests affect approximately 350,000 individuals annually in Europe, with a survival rate of less than 20% for out-of-hospital incidents. The study, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality & Outcomes, analyzed the five-year outcomes of 1,250 individuals in the Netherlands who survived such incidents, revealing significant disparities in mental health outcomes between genders.
Lead researcher Robin Smits from Amsterdam Public Health noted, “We observed a notable 50% increase in antidepressant prescriptions among women in the first year following cardiac arrest, a trend not mirrored in men. Although this increase tapered off to about 20% after five years, it underscores the insufficient support women receive post-cardiac arrest.”
The study also highlighted broader socioeconomic implications. “We found declines in employment rates and earnings among survivors as they aged through their 50s, aligning with trends observed in the general population,” Smits remarked. “Moreover, changes in ‘primary earner status’ within households suggest significant challenges in returning to the labor market post-recovery.”
Further research collaboration with the University of Copenhagen reaffirmed that women tend to outlive men post-cardiac arrest. “These findings underscore the sex-specific consequences of cardiac arrest,” Smits emphasized. “While women exhibit higher survival rates and longer lives, they also face heightened vulnerability to mental health issues in its aftermath.”
The findings advocate for enhanced support systems tailored to address the unique challenges faced by female survivors of cardiac arrest, aiming to mitigate the long-term impacts on their mental and socioeconomic well-being.
By documenting these disparities, the research underscores the need for targeted interventions to better support women in their recovery journey following cardiac arrest.
