treatment outcomes

This study investigated cardiovascular disease (CVD) presentations, risk factors, and treatment outcomes among 102 older adults receiving care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional design with structured questionnaires was used. The mean age of respondents was 66.5 years; 52.9% were female and 47.1% male. Hypertension (26.5%) and cardiac structure/function disorders (26.5%) were the most prevalent diagnoses. The most reported CVD presentations were chest pain (73.5%), rapid fatigue (83.3%), irregular heartbeat (100%), weakness/lightheadedness (83.4%), and shortness of breath during activities (79.4%). Awareness of risk factors was high, with over 90% acknowledging hypertension, obesity, diabetes, poor diet, physical inactivity, and stress as contributors to CVD. However, only 73.3% recognized gender differences in disease patterns. Perceptions of gender disparities in treatment were generally low, though 56.6% agreed that differences in care may affect survival, and 90.1% emphasized the need for gender equity in treatment. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant association between gender and CVD presentations (p=0.077) or treatment outcomes (p=0.194), but a significant relationship existed between gender and risk factor awareness (p=0.024). The findings highlight the importance of sustained health education and gender-sensitive strategies to improve CVD management in older adults.