Examining Sex and Gender Differences in Cognitive Recovery of Cardiac Arrest and Myocardial Infarction
Abstract
Sex differences exist in the predisposition, exposure, treatment, and recovery of adults who have experienced adverse cardiac events. Women tend to experience cardiac events at older ages, receive fewer evidence-based treatments, and report poorer global outcomes. To date, however, scarce research has examined the impact of sex and gender on cognitive and psychological outcomes. With this is mind, the present study aimed to determine whether men and women hospitalized for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction differed on web-based cognitive tests and psychological screening. In contrast with general trends, women had better resuscitation circumstances and neurological prognosis. Findings revealed mild impairment on the Creyos battery but showed no sex differences in cognitive function in the acute and long-term stages of recovery. Women reported worse psychological outcomes at hospital discharge and 3-months. These findings provide justification for cognitive and psychological screening prior to hospital discharge for women who suffer cardiac incidents.