Women with established ASCVD in England were less likely than men to be prescribed lipid-lowering therapy (80.1% vs 88.1%) and to achieve LDL-C targets (40.8% vs 51.4%).
Cross-Sectional
Yes
Does female sex reduce the likelihood of lipid-lowering therapy prescribing and LDL-C target attainment in patients with established ASCVD compared to male sex?
Significant gender disparities exist in secondary prevention of ASCVD in England, with women being less likely to receive lipid-lowering therapy and achieve LDL-C targets than men.
Absolute Event Rate: 80.1% vs 88.1%
Abstract Background Lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) is a key component of optimising secondary prevention in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). It is therefore essential that all patients with ASCVD are both offered LLT and treated to their LDL-C target. There is growing momentum surrounding the gender inequality gap in CVD, reflecting discrepancies in both diagnosis and management, leading to missed opportunities to reduce morbidity and mortality in women.1 Purpose This analysis aimed to highlight gender disparities in LLT prescribing and LDL-C target attainment across England, UK. Methods Data on LLT prescribing and the proportion (%) of patients achieving treatment targets (NICE UK target LDL≤2.0mmol/l or non-HDL ≤2.6mmol/l) across England (fig.1, East of England, London, Midlands, North East and Yorkshire, North West, South East, South West) were assessed using the most recent (June 2025) publicly available CVDprevent data set.2 Results Across all 7 regions in England, the proportion of women treated with LLT was consistently lower than that of men. The average number of women prescribed LLT was 80.1% (range 78.0-82.5%) compared to 88.1% in men (87.3-89.1%). Fewer women than men achieved NICE secondary prevention targets across all 7 regions in England (females: average 40.8%, range 36.61-44.82% vs males: average 51.4%, range 47.9-54.9%). Conclusions Significant gender disparities exist in both the prescribing of LLT and LDL-C target attainment in secondary prevention of ASCVD across England. These findings highlight a clear and ongoing gender gap that may contribute to excess cardiovascular risk in women. Systematic, proactive efforts to optimise LLT prescribing and lipid management in women are essential to reduce this gap and prevent avoidable MACE.
Thakkar et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Female gender vs. Male gender was evaluated on Prescription of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). Women with established ASCVD in England were less likely than men to be prescribed lipid-lowering therapy (80.1% vs 88.1%) and to achieve LDL-C targets (40.8% vs 51.4%).
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