Purpose: To describe the gender impact on the situation of women at the onset of myocardial infarction and describe why women wait to contact medical caregivers when showing symptoms of myocardial infarction. Method: Literature review with a descriptive design. Articles was retrieved from PudMed and Cinahl. Findings: Women are affected more than men of the so-called atypical symptoms of a heart attack. This means that they can not always relate the symptoms to a heart attack. In some cases, female patients have had an ongoing heart attack without knowing it. In addition to the diffuse symptom picture can also gender, women's social role and status have a major impact on the decision to seek care. The fear of disturbing, denial and not to be taken seriously, plays a major role. Women find it difficult to put their own needs first. Conclusion: The authors of this study believe that more information is needed to reach out to the public continuously for women to recognize atypical symptoms of heart attack. Keywords: Atypical Symptoms, Literature review, women / Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva genus inverkan på kvinnors situation vid insjuknande av hjärtinfarkt och beskriva varför kvinnor väntar med att söka sjukvård vid symtom på hjärtinfarkt. Metod: Litteraturstudie i beskrivande design. Artiklarna söktes fram i databasarna Pubmed och Cinahl. Resultat: Kvinnor drabbas oftare än män av så kallade atypiska symtom vid en hjärtinfarkt. Detta gör att de inte alltid kan relatera symtomen till en hjärtinfarkt. I vissa fall så har kvinnliga patienter haft en pågående hjärtinfarkt utan att veta om det. Förutom den diffusa symtombildens så kan även genus, kvinnans sociala roll och status ha en stor inverkan på beslutet att söka vård. Rädslan för att störa, förnekelse och att inte bli tagen på allvar spelar stor roll. Kvinnor har svårt att sätta sina egna behov förts utan tänker i första hand på hemmet och familjen. Slutsats: Författarna till denna studie anser att mer information behövs nå ut till allmänheten kontinuerligt för att kvinnor ska känna igen atypiska symtom på hjärtinfarkt. Nyckelord: Atypiska symtom, Litteraturstudie, kvinnor

Background: Myocardial infarction affects people around the world. Proportionally more women than men die from the condition and those women who have the greatest risk are the ones who live an unhealthy lifestyle. This includes individuals with poor dietary habits and low levels of physical activity as well as those with additional medical diagnoses such as hypertension, diabetes and psychological disorders. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe women's experiences after undergoing a myocardial infarction. Method: A method to contribute to evidencebased practise based on analysis of qualitative research was performed. Ten articles were analysed and resulted in four themes and ten subthemes. Result: Findings were: Women experience atypical symptoms before a myocardial infarction occurs. Women also need more support as they may be worried about leaving their everyday lives and letting go of everything around them. The results also highlight the recovery being difficult for the women who prioritize the family before their own health. Conclusion: It is important that all women obtain a permanent health care contact, as most of the women find that recovery is difficult. Relapsing is a possibility making it imperative that women become aware of the symptoms of myocardial infarction and how they appear.

Although it is well-known that motor neuron disease (MND) primarily affects motor neurons, the involvement of sensory pathways in the disease is currently receiving more attention. There is a dearth of information regarding the atypical effects of MND, resulting in limited understanding of the vulnerability of for example the auditory system. The presence of hearing loss negatively impacts on participation across all communicative contexts, stripping individuals of autonomy and self-worth, ultimately resulting in withdrawal and isolation. These factors form the foundation for individual desire to pursue life-prolonging measures. Hearing loss, combined with dysarthria and the use of augmentative and alternative communicative strategies, implies that individuals with MND require additional support to meet their daily communicative needs. This descriptive, exploratory study aimed to identify the prevalence of hearing loss in eight individuals with adult onset MND. In addition, perceptions relating to the implications of auditory impairment and value of auditory diagnosis were explored. An evaluation of auditory function was performed on eight individuals with a neurologist confirmed diagnosis of MND. Auditory function was assessed using a comprehensive audiological test battery including both objective and subjective measures. Perceptions related to auditory impairment were determined using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) and the Hearing Experience Questionnaire. Both individuals with MND and their primary caregivers completed the Hearing Experience Questionnaire. The results of the study indicate that a high frequency sensorineural hearing loss was identified in six participants. Auditory handicap, as measured by the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults, was reported in four participants, with social handicaps reported more than emotional handicaps. Individuals with MND and their caregivers identified communication as the most important functional skill. Interestingly, the caregivers related more to the threats auditory impairment than individuals with MND. The nature of hearing loss identified in this study mimics the pattern of a presbycustic (age-related) hearing loss. It is postulated that hearing loss may arise during disease course. Participants‘ limited understanding of the devastating consequences of hearing loss on quality of life highlights the need for inclusion of an audiologist as part of the multidisciplinary management team in MND. Audiological assessment, management, counseling and education will serve to guide the process of sensory regulation and limit psychosocial threats posed by MND. This will in turn promote enhanced quality of life and maintenance of individual autonomy.