Gender’s Role in Treatment of Heart Failure

In a study published in the European Journal of Heart Failure, German researchers reported that the gender of both the doctor and the patient play a significant role in the type of heart failure treatment that patient will receive. The study included the records of 829 physicians that provided treatment to 1,857 patients. Male patients were more likely to receive beta blockers, ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) by doctors of either gender when compared with female patients. In addition, the dose of ACE inhibitors and ARBs was higher in men than in women, with female doctors prescribing the highest doses when treating male patients. The lowest doses of these medications were prescribed by male doctors to their female patients, who also prescribed lower doses of beta blockers to their female patients.

Overall, the research suggested that drug treatment provided by a female physician to either a man or a woman for heart failure was more complete than that provided by male doctors. Other recent studies looking at treatment for heart disease found that in many cases, men receive more intensive treatment than women, especially during the initial stages of the disease. When a male or female patient goes to a doctor for the treatment of heart disease or some other problem, they have the right to expect quality medical care. In cases where physicians fail to provide appropriate treatment to their patients, those physicians may be responsible for any injuries that may have been prevented if proper treatment had been provided. Malpractice can occur when the incorrect dosage of medication is given (too much or not enough), or the wrong medication is given, causing injury or death to the patient. If you or a loved one has been the victim of medication malpractice in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau or Suffolk County, please contact the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein Awad & Miklos, P.C. today to schedule your free initial consultation.

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