Sex differences in illness beliefs and illness behaviour in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore sex differences in illness beliefs and behaviour in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Twenty-eight patients, 16 women and 12 men, were interviewed. The results show that both men and women think of CAD as a `men's disease' and have equal knowledge of CAD risk factors. However, especially the men considered their own risk of developing CAD lower than their estimated probability of their own sex and as low as their estimated risk for women. Both men and women did not attribute their symptoms indicative of CAD to their heart. Women, especially those who did not attribute their symptoms to their heart, had a longer patient delay than men, although their symptoms were indicative of CAD. To conclude, men as well as women should be made more aware of their own risk of developing CAD and of the manifestation of CAD symptoms. Physicians could be encouraged to ask patients more explicitly and thoroughly about their illness beliefs, to check their knowledge and inform them about CAD.