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Women with type 2 diabetes are less likely to be prescribed statins than men – although their health increases the risk to their heart
- Patients with type 2 diabetes are 40% more likely to suffer from heart problems
- Research shows that women have a similar risk of heart disease and stroke
- But a new study shows that they are 16% less likely to be prescribed statins
A study shows that women with type 2 diabetes are less likely than men to be prescribed statins.
People with type 2 diabetes are 40% more likely to die from a major cardiac event than others.
However, statins used to prevent a heart attack or stroke are more easily administered to men, as are blood pressure pills that reduce the risk of heart disease.
Women with type 2 diabetes have the same risk of heart disease and stroke as men, but a new study shows that they are 16% less likely to be prescribed statins by their GP.
A study in England of more than 450,000 people found that women with type 2 diabetes were 16% less likely than men to receive statins. They were 26% less likely to be prescribed ACE inhibitors to lower their blood pressure.
This may be because heart disease is often considered a "male disease" that threatens men more than women.
But the latest evidence shows that women with diabetes present an additional risk of heart disease and stroke similar to that of men.
The lead author of the study, Martin Rutter, of the University of Manchester, said that heart disease was often considered a male problem because men present themselves more often to their doctor with chest pain.
Lead author of the study, Martin Rutter, of the University of Manchester, said: "Heart disease is often perceived as a male problem because men more often have pain in the chest, while women present more subtle symptoms, such as missed.
"It may be for this reason that doctors are less aware of the risk of cardiovascular disease in women, but the guidelines for diabetes clearly indicate that they should receive the same medications.
"Further research is now needed to understand the reasons for these differences in prescription and find ways to bridge the gap."
People with type 2 diabetes are at a much greater risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events because their high blood sugar levels damage their lives. important blood vessels leading to the heart.
But women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to be obese, have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, all of which increase their risk. Yet, they miss out on essential drugs, even though they usually consult more doctors than men.
The "prescription bias" could not be explained by doctors refusing to give blood pressure pills and statins to pre-menopausal women, who may harm their unborn baby if they become pregnant by taking them .
Experts say that doctors may simply need more training to ensure that women receive the same preventative medications as men.
The study, published in the journal Circulation, compared nearly 80,000 people with type 2 diabetes diagnosed between 2006 and 2013.
Dr. Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Research at Diabetes UK, said, "These new findings suggest that the prospects for women with type 2 diabetes are better than expected, thanks to improved care. However, we must ensure that all people with type 2 diabetes benefit from the best possible treatments and care to minimize their risk of life-threatening cardiovascular complications, such as a heart attack or stroke.
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