Position statement on ischemic heart disease: Women-centered health care – 2023

Women with heart failure (HF) are usually older than men and have higher prevalence of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In addition, they more often have nonischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), and systemic arterial hypertension (SAH). Several factors contribute to the lower inclusion of women in trials on Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD). The factors related to the patient's conditions are as follows: (1) need to travel and miss work; (2) high burden of family responsibilities; (3) need for high level of commitment, (4) socioeconomic, psychological, cultural, and health barriers. The factors related to trials are as follows: (1) low referral rates and eligibility screening; (2) lack of sex-related eligibility criterion; (3) heterogeneous leadership of the trials, mainly represented by men; (4) exclusion of the elderly. Future actions are important for a higher inclusion of women with IHD in large studies. This position statement, through a joint action of cardiology specialties with expertise in women's health, is mainly aimed at disseminating information on IHD for the better understanding of its particularities, better management of patients, and consequent reduction in IHD morbidity and mortality. (author)