A systematic review finds more women than men present without angina, but the difference declines with advancing age.
Although chest pain is considered a hallmark symptom of acute coronary syndrome in men, common wisdom suggests that women are less likely to experience such “typical” symptoms. Yet the extent to which this belief is supported by the existing literature is unknown.
In this systematic review, investigators identified 69 published studies that focused on the clinical presentation of ACS, including those that permitted comparisons of the frequency of symptoms between men and women. Given the substantial variability in the size and approach to reporting symptoms among the studies, a formal meta-analysis was not conducted.
The absence of chest pain was noted in a substantial minority of men and women enrolled in both large (31.6%) and small (25.0%)…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research
Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research
Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)