Why Men don’t complain about their health and rarely seek medical help

Scientists from Chicago wondered how ideas about masculinity are linked to heart health. 

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the world. Paradoxically, these same diseases, compared to others, are easier to prevent with the help of competent and timely preventive measures. 

Common risk factors for almost all cardiovascular pathologies have been known for a long time – these are hypertension and high cholesterol. The earlier they are detected, the more effective the prevention. However, according to medical experts, a huge percentage of people with hypertension and high cholesterol do not even suspect the health risks they have. 

Scientists from the University of Chicago have found that there is a direct link between the attention of young men and men to their health and the sociocultural norms of behavior accepted in society. It turned out that males are less likely to seek medical attention with complaints of poor health. Gender stereotypes also prevent men from openly reporting previously diagnosed illnesses.

Previous studies have found a link between how often people seek medical care and gender. The Chicago researchers used new methods to understand how male-specific behaviors hinder cardiovascular disease prevention . To do this, they used data from a study that lasted from 1994 to 2018, when more than 12,000 men and women underwent medical examinations and filled out detailed questionnaires. 

The study found that sociocultural pressure forces men to conform to gender identity, which is associated with unhealthy behavior. For example, using psychoactive substances, refusing medical procedures, and neglecting medical recommendations. Therefore, they are more likely than women to miss the opportunity to prevent the development of serious cardiovascular pathologies at early stages.

The solution to the problem, scientists see, is in developing tolerance, empathy and the ability to sympathize with another person. In their opinion, this is an effective means of combating stereotypes, which cause men to downplay health risks.