title: Age and gender biases in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in a Finnish university hospital setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have shown that treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) does not meet the goals set in recommendations. The aim of this study was to investigate the adequacy of CHD drug treatment and secondary prevention measures, particularly with respect to age and gender biases, in a Finnish university hospital setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participant pool consisted of patients in FINCAVAS (Finnish Cardiovascular Study), which is a cohort study recruiting consecutive patients performing a clinical exercise test at Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. 802 patients (581 men, 221 women) with a prior diagnosis of CHD recruited between October 2001 and December 2004 were included in the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only roughly 12% of both men and women had an optimal risk factor profile. High blood pressure and hypercholesterolaemia were more common in women than in men, whereas smoking was more frequent among men. Men used ACE inhibitors (32.9% vs 20.4%, respectively), beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (80.8% vs 68.3%, respectively) and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) [69.7% vs 58.8%, respectively] more frequently than women, but the frequency of use of these medications was also not at the recommended levels in men. Risk factor control is poorer in older than younger age groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CHD patients, particularly women, who performed an exercise stress test in a university hospital are suboptimally treated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Sanna-Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Michou
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kähönen
authors.forename: Terho
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lehtimäki
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nikus
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viik
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Niemelä
authors.forename: Janne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kallio
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lehtinen
authors.forename: Tiit
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kööbi
authors.forename: Väinö
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Turjanmaa
authors.forename: Tuomo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nieminen
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking