Study Shows Women More Likely to Experience Anxiety and Depression After Cardiac Arrest

New Delhi: Women who survive cardiac arrest are more likely to experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than men, according to a study released on Tuesday.

A research group from Amsterdam University Medical Centre in the Netherlands analyzed five-year socioeconomic data of 1,250 individuals, averaging 53 years of age, who had survived an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

The study examined various factors to determine the five-year consequences of cardiac arrest. The results, published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality & Outcomes, revealed a 50 percent increase in antidepressant prescriptions for women in the first year post-cardiac arrest, a trend not observed in men.

"This rise then tapered off to around a 20 percent increase in prescriptions after five years," said Robin Smits, a researcher at Amsterdam Public Health. Smits emphasized that while further research is needed, the current findings suggest that women are not adequately supported after a cardiac arrest.

In addition to anxiety and depression, the research also explored employment trends affecting the general population as they age through their 50s. The study noted a significant shift in "primary earner status" within households, indicating that individuals often struggled to return to the labor market post-cardiac arrest.

A previous study on cardiac arrest survival rates found that women lived longer than men after a cardiac arrest. Combining these findings, "we see that the consequences of cardiac arrest differ depending on your sex. While women may be more likely to survive and live longer, they are also more likely to be affected by mental health issues after a cardiac arrest," Smits said.

The study highlights the need for targeted support and interventions for women recovering from cardiac arrest to address the heightened risk of mental health issues and employment challenges they face.

Smits also pointed out that societal and economic factors, such as reduced access to mental health care and persistent gender wage gaps, may exacerbate the challenges women face post-cardiac arrest. The research calls for more comprehensive post-cardiac arrest care strategies, emphasizing mental health and socioeconomic support, especially for women.