Factors associated with recovery from cardiac surgery in female patients

Research for the past fifteen years suggests that cardiovascular disease is a serious threat for women in terms of morbidity and mortality rates. The course of the disease among women is more severe, and treatment is more difficult. Women have unique problems associated with anatomical differences, the disease process, and postoperative recovery. However, historically women are underrepresented in research studies, with literature on issues of women undergoing cardiac surgery incomplete or inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to identify factors and outcomes associated with female recovery from cardiac surgery. The method used for this study was the review and synthesis of related research published between 1984 and 2000. The findings addressed in the study were physical and psychosocial aspects of the preoperative and postoperative recovery phases. Researchers identified age, urgency, presenting symptoms, self-report of symptoms, and lower physician referral rates as major factors for women. Poorer outcomes for women include fatigue, incisional pain, decreased activity, and less participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs. Psychosocial outcomes specific for women were identified as increased anxiety levels, depression, irritability, social inhibition, frustration due to the lack of support, embarrassment with the scar, and psychosomatic complaints, with a poorer perception of their physical health. Implications and recommendations for nursing practice, nursing education and research are discussed