In a recent medical survey, it was found that men are about 2-3 times more likely than women to get an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).  Even in developed countries like US and UK there has been a sudden rise in the number of deaths due to cardiac problem.

As a matter of fact, it has been found that increase in age is one of the main reasons behind cardiac deaths. Since, in most cases the age of men is higher than women even though the sex difference narrows and eventually disappears after the age of 85. Study also revealed the efficiency of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in avoiding sudden cardiac death, but many appropriate patients still do not receive them.

Over the years, many researchers and medical specialist conducted several tests and surveys on ICDs patients to find out primary and secondary prevention methods of sudden cardiac death. Data collected from the surveys conducted during the period of 1991 to 2005 discovered that most patients were in the age group of 65 years or older.  Most of these patients suffered heart failure, cardiac arrest or cardiomyopathy (a disorder of the heart muscle).  

In the primary study, the ratio of people who received ICD therapy is 32.3 per 1,000 men and 8.6 per 1,000 women. The study also found that in this group men were about 3.2 times more likely than women to receive an ICD. Though, the risk of death among those who underwent ICD therapy weren’t much lower.

After managing various factors, the percentage of deaths in these patients was 35% lower than others. But the men comprising in this group were about 2.4 times more likely than women to receive ICD therapy.

Hence, the study concluded that the main reason behind high risk for sudden cardiac death is sex difference in the use of ICD therapy.