Taken to heart: Phenotype discovery and intervention effectiveness for older adult women with circulation problems

The health of older women with circulation problems is poor. Circulation problems – including cardio- and peripheral-vascular diseases – are the leading cause of death and illness in older women. Failed health improvements are attributed to knowledge gaps concerning how circulation problems affect women and the interventions best suited to improve their health. Healthcare has focused on ensuring people receive the same standard of care. However, scientists now believe that circulation-related knowledge specific to different groups of women and group-targeted interventions is required to improve women’s health. No previous studies were found that identified groups of women with circulation problems and effective targeted interventions.

This study contributed new information addressing the knowledge gaps. Three groups of women were identified from a sample of 2,363 women 65 and older with circulation problems who received nurse home visits. The 1.24 million interventions that the women received were described. To manage this large number, the interventions were sorted into seven sets or intervention approaches. Each woman was assigned to the approach describing her interventions. Study findings revealed that intervention approaches significantly differed by numbers and types of interventions and use by group. Approaches were targeted to group health conditions and significantly associated to improved health outcomes. This study’s generated knowledge helps nurses identify the group to which a woman belongs, anticipate her health needs, and know which intervention approach best may help improve her health. These effective targeted interventions can be built into circulation-related health programs and care guidelines to help improve women’s health.