Mind the Gap: Women and Acute Myocardial Infarctions-An Integrated Review of Literature.

Abstract

Mortality rates of women suffering from an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are high, and in young women are on the rise. The goal of this review is to investigate what is known about women's experience of AMI symptoms. By exploring the complexity and intersections evident in the literature though an integrative literature review process, it becomes apparent that the problem involves deeper contextual influences arisingfrom women's situation in society. Keyfindings in this review suggest that not recognizing the risk or symptoms of an AMI can lead to delayed health care seeking behaviours, and warrants the need for further education. Awareness of these findings has implications for women's health outcomes and mortality rates. This review adds value to clinical practice by reifying the potential gaps in knowledge currently available to women and health care providers, and suggests filling these gaps with new more inclusive ways of knowing surrounding this phenomenon.