Development and Systematic Evaluation of a Progressive Web Application for Women With Cardiac Pain: Usability Study.

Background: Cardiac pain has been widely considered to be the primary indicator of coronary artery disease. The presentation of cardiac pain and associated symptoms vary in women, making it challenging to interpret as cardiac, possibly cardiac, or noncardiac. Women prefer to consult with family and friends instead of seeking immediate medical care.

Sex differences in the impact of extreme heat on cardiovascular disease outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Climate change is intensifying extreme heat events, posing significant risks to cardiovascular health. While sex differences in heat vulnerability have been observed, the evidence remains inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined sex-specific associations between extreme heat exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes over the past decade.

Sex differences in the association between hypertension, cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive decline: a narrative review.

The objective of this study was to review how cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is associated with hypertension and cognitive decline, specifically regarding sex differences in this association. Strong evidence supports the associations between hypertension and cognitive decline, hypertension and CSVD, as well as CSVD and cognitive decline in both women and men. Sex-stratified analyses show that compared to men, hypertension leads to worse cognitive decline in women likely due to its stronger association with CSVD in women.

Prehabilitation: Are There Sex- and Gender-Specific Issues in Surgery Preparation?

Background: Prehabilitation programs have advanced considerably; however, critical issues related to sex- and gender-specific factors remain largely unaddressed. Historically, research has been male-centered due to the underrepresentation of females in clinical trials, often attributed to concerns over hormonal variability. This focus has resulted in significant knowledge gaps and potential biases that impact effectiveness across sexes.

Gendered social determinants of health and risk of major adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Clinical risk factors have been identified as predictors of such outcomes, but social determinants of health (SDOH) may also play a role. We evaluated the associations between gendered SDOH (unevenly distributed between sexes) and adverse outcomes in AF.

Assessing the relationship between sex, gender, and hypertension: A federated analysis of European and Canadian Public Health Surveys.

While gendered psycho-socio-cultural factors are recognized as major determinants of cardiovascular health, their contribution to our understanding of their effect on hypertension (HTN) in each country is poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the role of these factors in HTN prevalence, focusing on sex- and gender-specific differences across countries. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2015-2016, N = 109,659, women: 56.

Depression and Low Social Support Mediate the Association of Marital Stress and 12-Month Cardiac-Specific Quality of Life in Young Adults With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Objective: This study explored whether and how depression and low social support mediate the association between marital stress and cardiac-specific quality of life (QoL) in young adults (≤55 years) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Data were obtained from 1593 married/partnered AMI survivors aged 18-55 years enrolled in the VIRGO study (2008-2012). Marital stress (Stockholm Marital Stress Scale) was self-reported at 1 month post-AMI and categorized as absent/moderate or severe.

Sex, gender, and stroke recovery: Functional limitations and inpatient care needs in Canadian and European survivors.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability among survivors. Past literature already investigated the biological sex differences in stroke outcome; still limited work on gender differences is published. Therefore, the study aimed at investigating whether biological sex and sociocultural gender of survivors play a role as determinants of disability and quality of life among stroke survivors across Europe and Canada.

Sex Differences in the Association Between Vascular Risk Factors and Cognitive Decline: A UK Biobank Study.

Background: Age-related cognitive decline is accelerated by vascular risk factors for cerebral small vessel disease. However, the association of vascular risk factors with cerebral small vessel disease contributing to the sex differences in cognitive decline remains unclear.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate sex differences in cognitive decline and the association between vascular risk factors and cognitive decline by sex.

Integrating gender analysis into research: reflections from the Gender-Net Plus workshop.

Gender equality has been a crosscutting issue in Horizon 2020 with three objectives: gender balance in decision-making, gender balance and equal opportunities in project teams at all levels, and inclusion of the gender dimension in research and innovation content. Between 2017 and 2022, the EU funded, in collaboration with national agencies, 13 transnational projects under "GENDER-NET Plus" that explored how to best integrate both sex and gender into studies ranging from social sciences, humanities, and health research. As the projects neared completion, forty researchers from these interdisciplinary teams met in November 2022 to share experiences, discuss challenges, and consider the best ways forward to incorporate sex and gender in research.

Heterogeneity of coronary vascular function and myocardial oxygenation in women with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease.

Aims: Women with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) have a heightened risk for cardiovascular events, and the pathophysiology for ischaemic symptoms may be related to alterations in microvascular structure and function. We examined the use of breathing-enhanced oxygenation-sensitive cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (OS-CMR) using vasoactive breathing manoeuvres to assess myocardial oxygenation in women with ANOCA.

Methods And Results: We recruited women (aged 40-65 years) from two sites in Canada who presented to healthcare with persistent retrosternal chest pain and found to have ANOCA, or without a history of cardiovascular disease.

Gender-Related Factors Associated With Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Young Female Patients.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a significant global health concern, with a growing recognition of its impact on young adults, particularly young female adults. Although gender-related factors, defined as a social construct that encompasses 4 distinct dimensions (gender roles, gender identity, gender relations, and institutionalized gender) are undoubtedly relevant across age groups, young female patients with ACS face specific challenges and disparities in outcomes, compared to other populations. This narrative review examines the role of gender-related factors-specifically, gender roles, gender identity, gender relations, and institutionalized gender-in influencing objective and subjective ACS outcomes in young female patients.

Administrative data ICD-10 diagnostic codes identifies most lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 admissions but misses many discharged from the Emergency Department.

We estimated the operating characteristics of ICD-10 code U07.1, introduced by the World Health Organization in 2020, to identify lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2. CCEDRRN is a national research registry of adults (March 2020-August 2021) with suspected/confirmed SARS-CoV-2 identified in Canadian emergency departments (EDs) using chart review (symptoms, clinical information, and lab test results including SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction, PCR results).

Are Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Atrial Fibrillation Sex-Dependent? A Narrative Review.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, poses a significant public health and economic burden. Although socioeconomic factors such as income and education have been implicated in AF incidence and outcomes, the potential sex-specific associations remained underexplored. This narrative review aimed to fill this gap by synthesizing existing literature on the sex-specific impact of socioeconomic factors on AF incidence, treatment, and outcome.

Association of marital/partner status with hospital readmission among young adults with acute myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Despite evidence supporting the benefits of marriage on cardiovascular health, the impact of marital/partner status on the long-term readmission of young acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors is less clear. We examined the association between marital/partner status and 1-year all-cause readmission and explored sex differences among young AMI survivors.

Methods: Data were from the VIRGO study (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients), which enrolled young adults aged 18-55 years with AMI (2008-2012).

Sex Differences in the Association of Age at Hypertension Diagnosis With Brain Structure.

Background: Sex differences exist in the likelihood of cognitive decline. The age at hypertension diagnosis is a unique contributor to brain structural changes associated with cerebral small vessel disease. However, whether this relationship differs between sexes remains unclear.

Guidelines on the use of sex and gender in cardiovascular research.

In cardiovascular research, sex and gender have not typically been considered in research design and reporting until recently. This has resulted in clinical research findings from which not only all women, but also gender-diverse individuals have been excluded. The resulting dearth of data has led to a lack of sex- and gender-specific clinical guidelines and raises serious questions about evidence-based care.

Sex differences in the perception of cardiovascular risk in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a common genetic condition, is characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Recent data indicate an undertreatment of females with FH.

Objective: To characterize the role of sex in the perception of FH, its associated ASCVD risk and treatment.

Role of sex and gender-related variables in development of metabolic syndrome: A prospective cohort study.

Introduction: The burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components has been increasing mainly amongst male individuals. Nevertheless, clinical outcomes related to MetS (i.e.

Impact of Sex and Gender on Metabolic Syndrome in Adults: A Retrospective Cohort Study From the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network.

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of 5 interconnected factors, is the main contributor to cardiovascular disease. Although sex- and gender-related elements have been linked to MetS and its components, this association has not been explored among Canadians with or without MetS. In this study, we aimed to identify sex and gender differences in characteristics of MetS in the Canadian population.

Impact of Marital Stress on 1-Year Health Outcomes Among Young Adults With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background Stress experienced in a marriage or committed relationship may be associated with worse patient-reported outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but little is known about this association in young adults (≤55 years) with AMI. Methods and Results We used data from VIRGO (Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients), an observational cohort study that enrolled individuals aged 18 to 55 years with AMI (2008-2012). Marital stress was self-reported 1 month after AMI using the Stockholm Marital Stress Scale (categorized as absent/mild, moderate, and severe).