Examining sex differences in care-seeking patterns for acute myocardial infarction - a cross-sectional study

To examine sex differences in care-seeking when afflicted by an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

This was a cross-sectional study in the region of Stockholm, Sweden. All patients from the Swedish national registry SWEDEHEART who were hospitalized due to an acute myocardial infarction in Stockholm, between March and June 2020, were asked to participate. A self-administered questionnaire Patients' appraisal, emotions, and action tendencies preceding care-seeking in acute myocardial infarction' (PA-AMI) including demographical questions, was sent out via mail, which was answered by a total of 326 participants. Additional variables for each participant were obtained from SWEDEHEART.

There were no differences between women and men regarding patients' thoughts, feelings, and actions prior to care-seeking, as well as the time from symptom onset to care-seeking, both the patients' own assessed time, and the times reported to SWEDEHEART. However, the results shows that both women and men experience a high degree of uncertainty when afflicted by an AMI.

Our results indicate that there are no significant sex differences in care-seeking patterns when afflicted by an AMI. Regardless of sex, AMI is associated with a high level of uncertainty among patients. To address this uncertainty and improve timely care, it is crucial to implement enhanced educational initiatives at both the individual and community levels. These efforts should focus on increasing awareness of the diverse symptom presentation of AMI and emphasize the critical importance of seeking immediate medical attention. Such interventions could help reduce delays in care and improve patient outcomes.