Research has been done to examine whether sex is of statistical significance, when it comes to determining the survival rates of cardiac arrest between men and women. The outcome has been quite unclear due to the differences in the findings.

However, the most recent research has come out strongly in support of the fact that sex is a determinant when it comes to the survival of cardiac arrest. The reason for the conclusion has been quite unclear due to the reality that cardiac arrest is considered just like any universal illness. The findings are based on statistical percentage compiled from several hospital records. The results have, indicated that women tend to survive cardiac arrest more than men.

The following are some of the arguments in support for the higher survival of women from cardiac arrest:

Presence of the hormone estrogen

The hormone estrogen is said to release some chemicals which act as a shield to the brain and hence this serves as protection from cardiac arrest. Women tend to produce more estrogen during the child-bearing age, thus they stand a higher rate or survival from cardiac arrest, than men of the same age.

The structure of the heart

Some health researchers have come up with findings that the heart structure of a female is slightly different from that of males. This is because the ejection of the left ventricle tends to be greater in women as compared to that in men. This structural difference implies the causes of the cardiac arrest in both sexes in most cases tend to differ. For the women, the cause of cardiac arrest is mostly triggered by failures in the arteries, whereas for the men the arrests are normally caused by the impaired ventricles.

Presence of a less “shockable rhythm” in women

Marieke Blom, a researcher, suggested that the little “shockable rhythm” in women is greatly attributed to by biological factors in their bodies. The rhythm brings out their vulnerability to heart attacks. However, due to the knowledge on the main causative of cardiac arrest, which is the artery failures, they can be easily administered to. This explains why the women still stand a higher chance of survival as compared to the male counterparts.

The realization of a higher likelihood when it comes to the survival of women as opposed to men in cardiac arrests has been of great essence. This is because it has brought about new approaches in administering cardiac arrest based on the gender of the patient. Therefore, administering first aid is able to approach cardiac arrest, through two options;

  1. If the patient is a male, the first-aider may consider the use of CPR to revive the patient as the rhythm in males is responsive to shock.
  2. If the patient is female, the first-aider may opt for the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to administer air into the lungs.

It is, therefore, advisable for women to be on the look-out when it comes to cardiac arrests. Due to the gradual symptoms, it is possible to detect the onset of a cardiac arrest. Therefore, women are advised to utilize the advantage of their survival, by visiting the hospital any time they experience any symptoms.