Representation of women in cardiovascular disease management: a systematic analysis of ESC guidelines.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Sex differences play a critical role in the presentation, progression and treatment outcomes of cardiac diseases. However, historical male predominance in clinical studies has led to disparities in evidence supporting care for both sexes. Clinical guidelines are essential for cardiovascular care, shaping practice and influencing patient outcomes. In this study, we reviewed 34 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines between 2002 and 2024 to evaluate the representation of women and the inclusion of female-specific recommendations.

Methods

We compiled 136 gender-related keywords, validated by six clinicians, and quantified their occurrence across guidelines. While our primary analysis focused on female-specific keywords, we also identified male-specific terms

SUBMITTER: Lashkarinia SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12406885 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature