Sex Differences in Pharmacologic Optimal Medical Therapy for Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors' conclusion
From 2011 to 2020, women, particularly younger women, remained less likely than men to receive guideline-directed OMT for self-reported IHD. These findings underscore the need for policy and practice interventions to improve equitable treatment in cardiovascular disease.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged ≥18 years with self-reported ischemic heart disease (IHD) in the United States, 2011 to 2020adults with IHD (40.6% women, mean age 65.4 years)
- Participants
- 1,905 adults
- Exposure
- sex differences in the use and trends of guideline-recommended optimal medical therapy (OMT)
Methodological detailsnationally representative data from the 2011 to 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
- Nationally representative data from the 2011 to 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Antiplatelet use
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Women | Men | Adjusted OR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statin use · multivariable adjustment | 57.2% | 73.9% | 0.62 (0.40–0.96) | |
| RAASi use · multivariable adjustment | 45.6% | 59.0% | 0.56 (0.38–0.84) | |
| 0.20.5125Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
OMT combinations including all 4 medications
Sex disparities by age and trends
- Sex disparities were most pronounced among adults under 50 years, with slower increases in OMT uptake over time among women
Original publication
Sex Differences in Pharmacologic Optimal Medical Therapy for Ischemic Heart Disease. JACC Adv. Published 1 April 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it