Men less likely to seek out cardiac care: 5 study takeaways

Sociocultural pressures of masculinity may influence whether men seek out cardiac care, according to a study published Oct. 25 in JAMA Network Open. 

Here are five takeaways from the study:

1. Researchers from the University of Chicago, Boston-based Chan School of Public Health and New York City-based Columbia University Irving Medical Center analyzed U.S. National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health data from individuals who had been followed up within three time periods: 1994 to 1995, 2008 to 2009, and 2016 to 2018.
   
   
2. Among 4,230 eligible male participants, those with higher younger adult male gender expressivity were overall less likely to report hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia diagnoses and diabetes treatment as adults. 
   
   
3. An increase in male gender expressivity as an adolescent was associated with lower probability of hypertension treatment and diabetes diagnosis as an adult.
   
   
4. Higher male gender expressivity as a younger adult was associated with a lower probability of hypertension diagnosis and treatment, and diabetes treatment as an adult.
   
   
5. The findings suggest that individuals with higher male gender expressivity would benefit from tailored public health efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease, the study authors said.