To ask the Minister of Health whether any assessment has been made of potential gender bias in the diagnosis, treatment or referral pathways for cardiovascular disease.

There is growing evidence internationally of a systemic gender gap in relation to how cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have traditionally been diagnosed and treated within healthcare systems. Although this is not yet fully understood, it is now accepted that – while CVDs are more prevalent among men – women can present differently with early symptoms which can be misdiagnosed, resulting in fewer diagnostic investigations, fewer cardiac medications being prescribed and fewer interventions.

Studies have shown that women are more likely to be interrupted, have their symptoms psychologised, or be advised to “wait and see”, and that traditional risk factors such as diabetes, cholesterol, age and smoking may have different weights and relevance in men and women. Coupled with the challenge of improving awareness and prevention of cardiovascular risk factors among women and girls, this represents an important issue which must be understood and reflected in clinical education, triage tools and risk assessments in order to mitigate any disparities in diagnosis and treatment.

Currently, however, the relevant NICE guidelines on cardiovascular health apply to all adults and do not include specific guidance on diagnostic and treatment disparities affecting women. They focus on population level risk tools, lifestyle risk modification, and treatment escalation. The Northern Ireland Cardiac Network also works to ensure that the entire population has equitable access to highquality cardiac care. My Department will continue to work closely with the Network to identify and implement any improvements that can strengthen existing diagnostic and treatment pathways for women.

My Department has published data on acute, episode-based activity at HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland during the year ending 31 March 2025 at: Hospital Statistics: Acute Episode-Based Activity Statistics 2024/2025. This publication presents information on diagnosis and procedures broken down by several variables including sex, however does not include information on outcomes.