Women are 50 per cent more likely than men to be given incorrect diagnosis following a heart attack

Women have a 50% higher chance than men of receiving the wrong initial diagnosis following a heart attack, according to a new study. 

The research, which was funded by the British Heart Foundation, was carried out at the University of Leeds using the UK national heart attack register MINAP. It found that overall, almost one-third of patients had an initial diagnosis which differed from their final diagnosis. 

The two main types of heart attack are STEMI and NSTEMI. STEMI occurs when there’s a total blockage of the main artery that pumps oxygenated blood around the body. NSTEMI, which is more common, is a partial blockage of one or more arteries. Both result in serious damage to the heart muscle.

This research found that women who were finally diagnosed with the more serious type of heart attack, STEMI, had a 59 per cent greater chance of a misdiagnosis compared with men.

Women who had a final diagnosis of NSTEMI had a 41 per cent greater chance of a misdiagnosis when compared with men.

Quick diagnosis is vital

Receiving a quick diagnosis and getting the correct treatment after a heart attack is vital to ensure the best possible recovery. A quick diagnosis shapes treatment in the short-term, and sometimes in the long-term. Women who were misdiagnosed had about a 70% increased risk of death after 30 days compared with those who had received a consistent diagnosis . The same was the case for men. 

The findings are published in the European Heart Journal Acute Cardiovascular Care. The study looked at 600,000 heart attack patients over the course of nine years. 

The British Heart Foundation is urging both the public and health care professionals to be more aware of signs of heart attack to avoid mistakes being made in diagnosis. 

Shifting perceptions about heart attacks

Associate Professor of cardiovascular Health Sciences and honorary consultant Cardiologist at the University of Leeds who worked on the study, said:

We need to work harder to shift the perception that heart attacks only affect a certain type of person. Typically, when we think of a person with a heart attack, we envisage a middle aged man who is overweight, has diabetes and smokes. This is not always the case; heart attacks affect the wider spectrum of the population – including women.”

Dr Mike Knapton, our Associate Medical Director said:

“The difference between men and women is alarmingly high, but recent BHF research in Edinburgh has shown one reason why this might be. 

“The research shows that when different limits are applied to the troponin test, a routine test for a heart attack, more women receive a correct diagnosis of heart attack. Thanks to this research there is now a better test for female heart attack diagnoses. 

“However more research is urgently needed into tests that will enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis of a heart attack, particularly in women.”