Aim: To summarize the accumulated state of knowledge in the area of machismo in health. Methods: This study was a review of the literature obtained from a database search of Annual Review, Sage premier, Springer, Elsevier, Redalyc, Scielo, MedicLatina, Pubmed and Google Scholar. Databases of abstracts were searched for publications from 1970–2016. The study included articles in both Spanish and English. Results: Seven attributes were identified: resistance to seeking medical attention; the belief that men are healthy and immune to any illness; denial of disease; stoic attitudes; the refusal to ask for help; a lack of concern for one’s health; and, poor self-care. Conclusion: It is important to continue studying macho attitudes in greater depth in order to develop questionnaires that focus on machismo in the context of health and its impact on the deterioration of an individual’s health, the development of disease and male mortality. Further conceptual development is essential to continue advancing our understanding, especially in nursing, where this topic remains largely unexplored.
