Women Less Likely to Return to Work Following Heart Attack

Among a young population, women are less likely to return to work after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than men, according to a new study.

The researchers analyzed data from 1680 patients with AMI 18-55 years old (57% women) participating in the Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients study who worked full time (≥35 hours) before the event. They obtained data medical record abstraction and patient interviews, and they conducted multivariable regression analyses to examine sex differences in return to work at 12 months after AMI and the association of patient characteristics with the return.
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When compared with young men, young women were less likely to return to work (89% vs. 85%; 85% vs. 89%, P=0.02); however, this sex difference wasn’t significant after they adjusted for patient sociodemographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, and health measures. Being married, engaging in a professional or clerical type of work, having more favorable physical health, and having no previous coronary disease or hypertension were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of return to work at 12 months.

“Healthcare providers should remain vigilant that young women (<55 years) are especially vulnerable for leaving the workforce given that they have worse recoveries after a heart attack than similarly aged men,” said study lead author Rachel P. Dreyer, PhD, of Yale University School of Medicine’s Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation. “The factors identified in this study may provide worthwhile targets for future interventions to improving patients’ resumption of work and may promote effective communication between physicians and patients. For example, more support may be required for patients in manual or semiskilled labor occupations.”

Dreyer said she’s also interested in understanding the role of psychosocial aspects of the work environment, including workplace stress and social support, in influencing patients’ decision to return to work, and their motivation to resume work after AMI.

-Mike Bederka

Reference:

Dreyer RP, Xu X, Zhang W, et al. Return to work after acute myocardial infarction: comparison between young women and men. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2016; 9:S45-S52. doi:10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.115.002611.