Gender Disparities in Common Sense Models of Illness Among Myocardial Infarction Victims.

Abstract

Symptom attributions were contrasted between male and female myocardial infarction victims (N = 157) who were comparable on age, cardiac risk status, medical history, symptom presentation, and other variables. Women were less likely than men to attribute their prehospital symptoms to cardiac causes. In the context of hearing symptom attributions or advice from support persons, women were less likely than men to report receiving a cardiac attribution or advice to seek medical attention. Results have implications for how victim gender influences the lay interpretation of cardiac symptoms.

Meta-analytic evaluation of gender differences and symptom measurement strategies in acute coronary syndromes

“…[3][4][5] If women do experience a unique pattern of ACS symptoms, then their symptoms may be mislabeled or may go unrecognized, in part, because gender stereotypes emphasize the vulnerability of men rather than women to heart disease. [6][7][8][9] As a consequence, women with ACS may delay seeking treatment or may receive less aggressive treatment than their male counterparts. 1,2 Thus, gender differences in ACS symptoms may be a contributory factor in the gender disparities seen in ACS outcomes.…”

Symptom presentation and time to seek care in women and men with acute myocardial infarction

“…There is evidence that men are more likely to present with chest pain, [17][18][19] although there is more evidence showing no differences between women and men for reports of chest pain. 12,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Regardless, chest pain is the most commonly reported symptom for both women and men. 12,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] The data also are equivocal for other symptoms.…”

“…12,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Regardless, chest pain is the most commonly reported symptom for both women and men. 12,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] The data also are equivocal for other symptoms. Men more often report diaphoresis, 19,21,22,28 and women more often report nausea, 19,[21][22][23]26 indigestion, 23 dyspnea, 17,19,22,23,26,28 arm pain, 19 back pain, 17,[19][20][21]23,25 neck and jaw pain, [19][20][21] and fatigue/dizziness.…”

“…Men more often report diaphoresis, 19,21,22,28 and women more often report nausea, 19,[21][22][23]26 indigestion, 23 dyspnea, 17,19,22,23,26,28 arm pain, 19 back pain, 17,[19][20][21]23,25 neck and jaw pain, [19][20][21] and fatigue/dizziness. 17 On the other hand, others show no gender differences for jaw pain, 23- 25 back pain, 23,24 arm pain, 17,20,21,23-25 neck pain, 23,25 dyspnea, 12,24,25 diaphoresis, 12,17,23-25 nausea, 12,25 epigastric discomfort/indigestion, 12,17,19,22,24,25 dizziness/fainting, 17,19,22,23,25,26 or fatigue. [23]…”

Heart Disease Occurs in a Biological, Psychological, and Social Matrix: Cardiac Risk Factors, Symptom Presentation, and Recovery as Illustrative Examples

“…In subsequent studies with post-MI survivors, Martin et al [52] tested whether women suffering the symptoms of an evolving MI had misattributed their own symptoms to a non-cardiac cause. Intensive interviews about the events and perceptions surrounding the onset of symptoms were conducted with a large sample of post-MI men and women only a week or so after hospital discharge.…”