Sex differences in delay times in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A cohort study

Background

The present study analyzes a cohort of consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), evaluating the ischemia–reperfusion times from the perspective of gender differences (females versus males), with a long-term follow-up.

Methods

Single-center analytical cohort study of patients with STEMI in a tertiary hospital, between January 2015 and December 2020.

Results

A total of 2668 patients were included, 2002 (75%) men and 666 (25%) women. The time elapsed from the onset of symptoms to the opening of the artery was 197 min (IQR 140–300) vs 220 min (IQR 152–340), p = 0.004 in men and women respectively. A delay in health care significantly impacts the occurrence of cardiovascular adverse events at follow-up, HR 1.34 [95%CI 1.06–1.70]; p = 0.015.

Conclusions

Women took longer to go to health care services and had a longer delay both in the diagnosis of STEMI and in coronary reperfusion. It is imperative to emphasize the necessity of educating women about the recognition of ischemic heart disease symptoms, empowering them to raise early alarms and seek timely medical attention.