Report: Men more reluctant than women to seek medical attention
A report published today has revealed that men are more overweight and have higher blood pressure than women but are less likely to do anything about it.
The report by Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation in partnership with the Cardiology Department of University Hospital Galway is a culmination of research in their community based cardiovascular disease prevention programme: “Heart Smart, Your Heart is Your Life”.
Participants in the ‘Heart Smart’ programme were randomly invited to avail of a free cardiac screen, in a range of community settings across the West of Ireland. All participants with elevated risk factors were referred to their GP and were then invited to return for a six month check-up.
Among the key factors monitored over the two year period were cholesterol levels, smoking status, blood pressure levels, and BMI. Results showed that 46% of men compared to 35% of women had high blood pressure.
Men also had a higher BMI than their female counterparts in both 2005 and 2006. When it came to the follow up assessments at six months, men were not as eager to seek help as women. Of the 62.8% of people who returned for a re-assessment of their risk factors, 41% of these were men and 59% were women, while of the 58% who presented at GP surgeries as advised only 21% of these were men in comparison to 37% who were female.
Commenting on the report, Dr Jim Crowley, Consultant Cardiologist, University Hospital Galway said: “The findings confirm a reluctance in men to seek medical attention, even though in terms of gender men are at a higher risk of coronary artery disease at an earlier age.”
