Optimizing Heart Health in Athletes: A Meta-Analysis of the Benefits and Gender Differences of Beta Blockers in Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of beta blockers in athletes with chronic heart failure (CHF), focusing on potential gender differences that might influence treatment outcomes and athletic performance. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using databases such as Wanfang, SQL, Sybase, Access, CNKI, and Elsevier, along with a manual search of international literature, covering publications up to July 2022. The quality and risk of bias in the studies were assessed using the Jadad standard. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software, focusing on endpoints such as all-cause mortality, hospitalization rates, improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction, and incidents of sudden death, with a particular interest in the male composition of study populations. Results: Nine English-language studies from 2001 to 2022 met the inclusion criteria, showing high overall quality. Subgroup analyses based on gender composition revealed significant heterogeneity, hence a random effects model was applied. Results indicated that beta blockers significantly reduced all-cause mortality in CHF patients compared to placebo [RR = 1.57, 95% CI (1.12- 2.27), P < 0.05]. Notably, all-cause mortality reductions were more pronounced in groups with a higher proportion of male participants [RR = 1.36, 95% CI (1.05-1.87), P < 0.05]. Conclusion: Beta blockers significantly enhance survival rates among athletes with CHF, with evidence suggesting greater efficacy in predominantly male cohorts. These findings underscore the importance of considering gender differences in the pharmacological management of CHF in athletes, potentially guiding more personalized treatment strategies to optimize health and performance.