MSPs are in Glasgow today to investigate how access to cardiac services can be improved.
The Evening Times reported earlier this month that people in more deprived areas were more likely to have a heart attack, less likely to reach hospital alive, and more likely to die during a heart attack.
An Audit Scotland report said there were 20% fewer hospital treatments than would be expected in the most deprived areas, and 60% more in the least deprived.
Men were more likely to seek help if encouraged by someone in their family.
MSPs from the Public Audit Committee were meeting patients, doctors and health professionals in an attempt to better understand the complexities of cardiac treatment in Glasgow.
They were visiting Drumchapel to see the Keep Well project and meeting staff and patients from the South Asian Anticipatory Care Pilot project.
Later, they will hear evidence from the British Heart Foundation, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Government.
Joe McLaughlin, 67, from Croftfoot, was diagnosed with unstable angina in 1991, when he was still in his forties.
He said he had to wait a year for a double bypass operation and there was no support services in his area. He later helped set up the Glasgow Dicky Tickers support group.
Mr McLaughlin recognises some of the findings of the research.
He said: "I was feeling unwell for a few days and my wife suggested going to hospital to get it checked out.
"I think smoking is the biggest problem. I was a smoker before my heart problems and got such a fright I gave up cigarettes straight away.
"If I could give anyone any advice it would be 'please don't smoke'."
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland surveyed groups across the country and found different outcomes between men and women and affluent and less well-off areas.
Research found people in less deprived areas were more than twice as likely to recognise symptoms, particularly of a heart attack, and to seek help more quickly.
Three out of four dialled 999 within 30 minutes, compared to less than half in more deprived areas.
stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk