National Consensus Statement on Role of Bisoprolol across Cardiovascular Continuum: Special Focus on Women

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant health concern worldwide, with women facing distinct challenges in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of these conditions. In India, hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, affecting nearly one-third of adults, and women experience a disproportionately high burden across all age-groups. The CV continuum, which spans from risk factors to CV events and ultimately to heart failure (HF), demonstrates how the progression of CVD impacts women at each stage differently due to gender-specific mechanisms like hormonal influences, pregnancy complications and the effects of menopause. This manuscript aims to present a set of consensus statements developed by an expert panel in India, focusing on the role of bisoprolol across the CV continuum with special attention to women. The consensus was formed based on a thorough review of clinical experiences, existing clinical data and alignment with both global and regional clinical guidelines. The manuscript highlights the gender-specific CV risks faced by women, their higher mortality rates following acute cardiac events, delayed diagnoses and less aggressive treatments. It also discusses bisoprolol as an effective therapy for managing hypertension, HF and other CV conditions in women. Bisoprolol's benefits include consistent blood pressure (BP) control, improved outcomes in HF and reduced CV risks, particularly in postmenopausal women and those with comorbidities. The manuscript underscores the need for gender-tailored approaches to the CV continuum, from prevention through to management, to address these challenges and improve outcomes for women.