Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with an estimated 17.9 million people dying from such conditions in 2016.

Women and men can both suffer from various cardiovascular conditions, but research has shown that gender disparities exist when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of some diseases.

Overview: Gender Disparities in Infarction Diagnosis

A heart attack, also known as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is blocked.

Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the patient’s outlook after an AMI, but this is challenging given that the symptoms of a heart attack vary between individuals and do not always include chest pain.

Research has shown that women are more likely to die from heart attacks than men.

The reasons for this disparity are complex, but some of the factors that contribute to it include differences in symptom presentation, treatment-seeking behaviors, and the way healthcare providers perceive and diagnose heart attacks in women.

Gender Differences in Symptom Presentation

Men and women can both experience chest pain during a heart attack, but women are more likely to report atypical symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath.

These symptoms may be misinterpreted as signs of anxiety or a gastrointestinal problem, leading to delays in seeking medical care. Some women may also downplay their symptoms, assuming that they are not at risk of a heart attack or that their symptoms are not severe enough to warrant medical attention.

Socio-Economic Factors and Treatment-Seeking Behaviors

Women are more likely to be affected by socio-economic barriers that can prevent them from seeking timely medical care.

These barriers may include lack of insurance coverage, low income, lack of transportation, and cultural or linguistic differences that affect communication with healthcare providers.

Some studies have shown that women are also less likely to receive timely treatment for heart attacks because they tend to present with less typical symptoms or because healthcare providers may not recognize the signs of a heart attack in women.

Perception Bias in Health-Care Provider Diagnosis

Gender bias in perception is another factor that can contribute to disparities in AMI diagnosis between the sexes.

Some healthcare providers may have a preconceived notion that heart attacks are more common in older men than women, which can lead to delays in diagnosing and treating heart attacks in female patients.

According to one study, women were twice as likely as men to receive an incorrect diagnosis after a heart attack.

Women were more likely to be referred to a psychiatric evaluation or to receive a diagnosis of non-cardiac chest pain than men, which highlights the need for increased awareness among healthcare providers of atypical presentations of heart attack in women.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in AMI Diagnosis

In addition, racial and ethnic disparities in AMI diagnosis and treatment have been reported in the literature.

Some studies have shown that African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans may be less likely to receive evidence-based treatments for heart attacks.

The reasons for these disparities are complex and may include differences in socio-economic status, access to healthcare, educational level, and healthcare provider biases.

Conclusion

Gender disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of AMI continue to be a major public health concern.

Improved awareness among healthcare providers of the atypical symptoms of heart attack in women, increased access to healthcare for underserved populations, and community-level interventions that focus on improving health literacy and awareness may help reduce disparities in AMI diagnosis and outcomes between men and women.