Gender Differences in Symptom Experiences of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

To compare the symptom experiences between men and women with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), we surveyed a convenience sample of 112 subjects with a final diagnosis of ACS in four hospitals. Our study found that after adjusting for cardiac diagnosis, diabetes, and age, women were more likely than m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of pain and symptom management 2005-12, Vol.30 (6), p.553-562
Main Authors: Chen, Wan, Woods, Susan L., Wilkie, Diana J., Puntillo, Kathleen A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acute coronary syndromes
acute myocardial infarction
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Angina, Unstable - diagnosis
Angina, Unstable - epidemiology
Biological and medical sciences
Cardiology. Vascular system
Coronary heart disease
Female
Gender
Heart
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Myocardial Infarction - diagnosis
Myocardial Infarction - epidemiology
Myocarditis. Cardiomyopathies
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Prevalence
Prognosis
Risk Assessment - methods
Risk Factors
Sex Distribution
Sex Factors
symptoms
Syndrome
United States - epidemiology
unstable angina
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Summary:To compare the symptom experiences between men and women with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), we surveyed a convenience sample of 112 subjects with a final diagnosis of ACS in four hospitals. Our study found that after adjusting for cardiac diagnosis, diabetes, and age, women were more likely than men to experience chest discomfort rather than chest pain; pain/discomfort only in areas of the body other than the chest; pain/discomfort that started first either in the arm(s) or in areas of the body other than the chest; and unexplained anxiety. Women were less likely than men to experience chest pain/discomfort, pain/discomfort in the left side of the chest, and chest pain/discomfort as the most worrisome symptom. Significant gender differences were observed in the reports of several symptoms associated with ACS. This study is the first to identify different pain/discomfort referral patterns between men and women that require further validation.
ISSN:0885-3924
1873-6513
DOI:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2005.06.004