New national data reveals differences in PCI care for women
Her Heart and the National Cardiac Registry (NCR) are working together to make women visible in cardiovascular data and support more equitable PCI care and outcomes.
- The analysis includes 25,495 percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures across 58 Australian hospitals.
- Among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI, women experienced an
approximately 27-minute longer time from symptom onset to reperfusion than men. - The Cardiac Equity Report details these findings, including the need for measurable improvements in the timeliness, equity and quality of PCI care for women.
Her Heart and the National Cardiac Registry have released a new report examining differences in the treatment and outcomes of women and men undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) a procedure used to open narrowed or blocked coronary
arteries.
The analysis draws on 25,495 PCI procedures undertaken at 58 Australian hospitals between 2020 and 2024. It builds on the organisations’ earlier work and provides a stronger national picture of where differences remain for women undergoing these
procedures.
One of the most concerning findings relates to women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI. From the onset of symptoms to reperfusion, women waited approximately 27 minutes longer than men.
Every minute matters during a heart attack. Delays may occur before a woman reaches hospital, during diagnosis or as she moves through the health system. Understanding where these differences occur is essential if they are to be addressed.
The findings reinforce the importance of early recognition, timely access to evidence-based treatment and the routine reporting of PCI data by sex. They also demonstrate how national registry data can identify gaps, support benchmarking and guide improvements in care.
About the Partnership
Her Heart began working with the National Cardiac Registry in 2024 to strengthen the visibility of women in national PCI data. The first analysis used combined data from 2020 to 2023. This expanded analysis includes 2024 data, allowing a more detailed examination of differences in procedures, treatment and outcomes.
About the National Cardiac Registry
This work reflects a shared commitment to using national data not only to describe inequity, but to guide practical improvements for women undergoing PCI.
The National Cardiac Registry brings together data from participating Australian cardiac registries and hospitals to support quality improvement and better outcomes for people undergoing cardiac procedures.
We acknowledge the participating cardiac registries, hospitals, clinicians and teams whose data and contributions made this analysis possible.
Contributing Registries
This collaborative model supports broad national representation and provides a robust foundation for understanding PCI practice and outcomes across Australia.
About Her Heart
Her Heart is Australia’s Peak Body and leading authority on cardiovascular disease in women. As the only not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving women’s heart health, Her Heart provides evidence-based education, advocacy and research to raise awareness and drive systemic change.
Almost one Australian woman dies every hour from heart disease, around 20 women every day. Her Heart is committed to ensuring every woman has access to life-saving knowledge, quality healthcare and the support needed to prioritise her heart health.
Photo: A/Professor Jon Spiro, Jasmine Pyyvaara, Dr Jim Leitch and Professor Linda Worrall-Carter