A study published in Hypertension by researchers from the University of Bologna found that women taking beta blockers for high blood pressure face a nearly 5% higher risk of heart failure than men when admitted to hospitals with acute coronary syndrome. Beta blockers are commonly prescribed to reduce hypertension, a major contributor to heart disease. The study analyzed data from 13,764 adults across 12 European countries who had high blood pressure but no history of cardiovascular disease. Patients were grouped by gender and beta blocker usage to evaluate outcomes. Results showed that women on beta blockers had a 4.6% higher rate of heart failure than men in similar conditions.

Additionally, women experiencing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)—a severe heart attack involving full artery blockage—were 6.1% more likely than men to suffer heart failure. The mortality rate for both men and women with heart failure was about seven times higher than those who experienced a heart attack without such complications. Interestingly, among participants not taking beta blockers, men and women had nearly equal rates of heart failure. Researchers emphasized that previous studies on beta blockers largely involved male participants, and the underrepresentation of women could be obscuring critical gender-based differences. Lead author Dr. Raffaele Bugiardini stressed the need for more balanced research to uncover sex-specific responses to treatment and guide more effective, personalized care.