Treatment for heart disease has improved dramatically over the last two decades, but men have consistently benefited more than women. New research finds that women are more likely to experience treatment delays when they call 9-1-1 complaining of heart symptoms.
Doctors from Tufts Medical Center examined the results from more than 6,000 emergency calls and determined that one in ten people had delays of 15 minutes or more in receiving full care.
Women were 52 percent more likely to be delayed. Emergency teams responded equally quickly for men and women, but women's care broke down from there.
Researchers say emergency workers often don't recognize women's symptoms as heart problems, including shortness of breath, nausea, or tightness in the chest.
But female patients can contribute to the delays by downplaying their discomfort and insisting they don't need hospital treatment.
Experts recommend women with sudden heart problems be specific regarding their symptoms emphasize that they are out of the ordinary and insist on a full medical work up as soon as possible.
