Women less likely than men to seek timely care for CV symptoms

Results from a new study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress suggest that women are more likely than men to delay seeking medical care for symptoms of angina.

The study was conducted in two parts. In the initial qualitative phase, researchers interviewed 31 participants about their angina symptoms and what influenced their decision to seek medical care. In the second quantitative phase, the researchers assessed the reasoning behind seeking medical care based on gender in a cohort of 237 participants. Participants in both phases of the study had suspected CAD and abnormal results from at least one prior test; all had been referred for their first coronary angiogram.

In the initial phase, researchers observed that angina symptoms alone were insufficient to inspire participants to seek medical care. The researchers identified six distinct stages that occurred before participants would seek care, which differed between men and women with regard to duration. The stages occurred in the following chronological order, according to a press release:

Uncertainty, with the participant attributing symptoms to other health conditions.
Denial/dismissal of symptoms.
Discussion of symptoms with a friend or family member, without seeking medical care.
Recognition of symptom severity, accompanied by feelings of defeat.
Seeking medical attention.
Acceptance.

Women remained in the denial stage longer than men, according to Catherine Kreatsoulas, PhD, Fulbright Scholar and Heart and Stroke Foundation research fellow at Harvard School of Public Health. Men more quickly moved on to discuss their symptoms with another person, whereas “women would wait for others to tell them they looked horrible,” Kreatsoulas said in the press release. “Women displayed more of an optimistic bias, feeling that the symptoms would pass and get better on their own.” She added that, when women would experience a slight improvement in symptoms, they were inclined to dismiss them for a longer period of time.

In the quantitative phase, results indicated that men were more likely than women to seek care if they considered their symptoms to be “severe” (OR=2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.7) or if symptoms occurred “more frequently” (OR=1.9; 95% CI. 1.1-3.3).

According to the researchers, the reasons for these differences are unclear, but the results present “important public health implications to improve timely cardiac care among women.”

For more information:

Kreatsoulas C. Abstract #158. Presented at: Canadian Cardiovascular Congress; Oct. 25-28, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia.

Disclosure: Kreatsoulas reports no relevant financial disclosures.