Why do men and women respond differently to chest pain? A qualitative study.

Men and women were equally likely to discuss their pain with lay others, but women were less likely to be directed to medical care, and men were perceived to be at greater risk of heart disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: to explore sex differences in responses to chest pain. METHOD: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 men and 30 women with chest pain, age 45 to 64, living in two socioeconomically divergent areas of Glasgow, Scotland. RESULTS: Three themes underpinned sex differences in responses to chest pain: perceived vulnerability to heart disease, previous experience of health care, and nonmedical care strategies. Men were perceived to be at greater risk of heart disease. Women were concerned that reporting their chest pain wasted the doctors' time. Men and women were equally likely to discuss their pain with lay others, but women were less likely to be directed to medical care. CONCLUSIONS: Despite initiatives to raise awareness that heart disease is important for women, women and their lay consultants continue to underestimate the significance of chest pain. Women's reluctance to seek medical care may contribute to sex differences in use of cardiology services.