Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death in both women and men in Spain, although coronary heart disease is often perceived as a predominantly male condition. Previous studies have identified differences between the sexes, prompting a team from the University Hospital of Navarra to analyze sex-based differences in the care and treatment of acute coronary syndrome.

The researchers reviewed data from 478 patients who were treated and diagnosed between 2016 and 2021; 70.51% were men. They compared symptoms, care timelines, and treatments. In addition, they interviewed eight patients (four women and four men) and healthcare professionals to explore their experiences and perceptions.

Patients reported similar symptoms regardless of sex, but differences emerged in the care received. Women took longer to seek medical attention: 117 minutes longer than men in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction cases and 148 minutes longer in cases without ST-segment elevation. During interviews, women explained that they sometimes finished household tasks or waited for the pain to subside before seeking help, so as not to worry their families. Men more frequently received certain pharmacological treatments and procedures, such as fibrinolysis and angioplasty. In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction cases, the time from electrocardiogram to revascularization was 188 minutes for women, compared with 73 minutes for men. The severity of the condition was similar in both groups. However, although physicians stated that they treated women and men equally, they tended to perceive the disease as more typical of men.

According to the authors, these findings are important for improving equity in healthcare. Social responsibilities and gender-related perceptions may influence both the decision to seek medical help and clinical decision-making. The researchers recommend raising awareness so that women can better recognize their cardiovascular risk and training healthcare professionals to identify potential biases. They also suggest further research into cardiac biomarkers according to sex.

To learn more about this study, read the full article published in the Revista de Investigación e Innovación en Ciencias de la Salud (Journal of Research and Innovation in Health Sciences) by following this link.

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