Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Factors Related to Gender Inequalities in the Management of Ischemic Heart Disease

Marta Ferraz Torres

Introduction: Historically, epidemiological health studies –mainly research on coronary heart disease– have focused their analysis in the male population. With this, the biological characteristics and psychosocial aspects of women have remained invisible to the patterns of health and disease, thereby generating significant differences in the treatment and outcome of these pathologies according to sex.
Methodology: A qualitative descriptive analysis were carried out using phenomenological methodology by conducting semi-structured interviews with patients affected with ischemic heart disease (IHD), doctors, A&E service workers of the Hospital X (CHX) from 1 January 2013 until August of that year.
Results: Both men and women referred to suspecting that the process entailed a cardiac problem. By contrast, women have confirmed that they consciously delayed the request for medical aid. Doctors expressed the idea that women are more "histrionic" and that it is men who delay the request for medical aid. Conclusion: Differences of perception and action generated by doctors, together with the difference in actions by patients according to sex lead to gender inequality that harms the evolution of women where these pathologies are concerned.