Could GPs be overlooking things because of the way we dress?
Being well dressed and taking pride in your appearance is definitely something women are known for, but are your risking your health?
New research shows that thousands of women may be dying from heart attacks and strokes because doctors wrongly assume they are health just from their dress and appearance.
Researchers believe GPs and cardiologists may be fooled by make-up or clothes that flatter a body shape and disguise illness.
Dr Pierre Sabouret, the project’s lead researcher and cardiologist from Heart Institute-Pitie Salpetriere Hospital in Parir says: “Too often [doctors] will think if a female patient looks healthy, and dresses smartly, and looks after herself, she is probably okay.”
The study of more than 15,000 men and women, which took place in France where the level of atrial fibrillation –one of the leading causes of stroke – is similar to that in the UK, found that women were twice as likely to have their treatment overlooked than men.
Dr Sabouret added that women often wore make-up and flattering clothing that could disguise poor health.
But Dr Sabouret said that rather than refer to this guidance, doctors were relying on their own assumptions.
“You cannot really blame the GPs – they have a very difficult job and must understand so many guidelines,” he said.
“But there needs to be much better relationships between cardiologists – the specialists – and the GP.”
Dr Sabrouret also said the findings were particularly relevant to the UK, where research shows that woman are one and a half times as likely as men to die as the result of heart failure.
Tagged in Health Stroke Women's Health