Solucient: Men More Likely to Receive Key Cardio Test Following Diagnosis; Report Follows Trends Among Female Health Care Consumers 11/24/2003
From: Tarsis Lopez of Solucient, 847-440-9619 or e-mail: tlopez@solucient.com EVANSTON, Ill., Nov. 24 -- Men who are diagnosed with heart disease are 34 percent more likely than women with this condition to receive a cardiovascular stress test, an important, non-invasive procedure that evaluates chest pain and cardiac arrhythmias and screens for coronary artery disease, according to a report released today by Solucient(r). Based on self-reported information from a recent survey, nearly 39 percent of men and 29 percent of women diagnosed with heart disease, including heart failure and angina, undergo cardiovascular stress tests. However, a smaller disparity exists between men and women with heart disease undergoing an electrocardiogram, a non-invasive test in which electrode patches are attached to the skin to measure electrical impulses from the heart. "A number of studies have shown an association between gender and resource utilization in patients with coronary artery disease," said Janet Young, MD, clinical support consultant at Solucient. "Our results suggest the need for additional research to investigate whether women with heart disease are receiving appropriate diagnostic tests." The Solucient report, which looks at health care trends among women, combines findings from a Solucient survey of 20,000 health care consumers and demographic and health care utilization information from Solucient's vast health care databases. Solucient provides comprehensive health care information to drive business growth, manage costs, and help deliver quality care for providers, payers, employers, and pharmaceutical companies. Among other findings in the report: -- Single mothers aged 45-54 are 72 percent more likely than all women to have heart disease, but 12 percent less likely to receive an EKG and 42 percent less likely to have received cardiovascular stress tests. -- Top information sources for all women diagnosed with heart disease are physicians and the Internet. -- In the next 25 years, 27.8 million additional women are expected to be added to the U.S. population with most of the growth occurring among women age 65 or older. This could lead to an unprecedented rise in demand by women for hospital inpatient cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine services by 2027. In fact, the inpatient cardiovascular market for women could surpass obstetrical services. -- Hospital outpatient service demand by women is expected to rise significantly in the next five years, particularly in the areas of physical therapy, major diagnostic imaging, and obstetrics and gynecology services. Demand for outpatient gynecology services is projected to grow about 50 percent between 2002 and 2007. -- When asked to describe their impressions of physician hospital referrals, over 50 percent of female survey respondents indicated they would ask their doctor to send them to their preferred hospital, while 33 percent stated they would go to a hospital recommended by their physician. Only 8 percent said they would seek out another doctor who would admit them to their preferred hospital. ------ Media Note: The new Solucient report, "Understanding the Female Consumer: Her Healthcare Needs, Impact on Utilization, and Decision-making Role in the Household," is available in PDF form by e-mailing tlopez@solucient.com About Solucient Solucient is the leading source of health care business intelligence. The company provides comprehensive, results-oriented information to drive business growth, manage costs, and help deliver quality care. Solucient's expertise and proven solutions enable providers, payers, employers, and pharmaceutical companies to achieve results and realize value. For more information, visit http://www.solucient.com. |