Women experienced a greater diversity of symptoms than men during acute myocardial infarction, although over 90% of both genders reported chest pain.
Cross-Sectional (n=82)
Are there gender differences in symptom presentation, illness behavior, and prehospital delay among patients with acute myocardial infarction?
Women with acute myocardial infarction present with a greater diversity of symptoms than men, which may impact symptom interpretation and prehospital delay.
The purpose of this study was to compare symptom presentation and illness behavior among women and men with acute myocardial infarction and assess various aspects that influence prehospital delay. This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study using self-reported questionnaires. The sample consisted of 82 women and men in Norway, up to 65 years of age, with first-time acute myocardial infarction between March and October 1999. The findings demonstrated that the most commonly reported symptom in both genders was chest pain. More than 90% of women and men experienced chest pain, with no difference between the genders. More women than men had nausea as well as pain located in their arms, back, jaw, and throat. More men than women attributed their symptoms to be cardiac in origin. Experiencing pain in the shoulders, attributing symptoms to be noncardiac, consulting a family member, and contacting several medical practitioners increased prehospital delay. During the year before the event, women were more likely to experience fatigue than men. The conclusion of this study is that women experienced a greater diversity of symptoms than men. Acute symptoms, interpretation of symptoms, and illness behavior may influence prehospital delay.
Løvlien et al. (Sun,) conducted a cross-sectional in Acute myocardial infarction (n=82). Female gender vs. Male gender was evaluated on Symptom presentation and illness behavior. Women experienced a greater diversity of symptoms than men during acute myocardial infarction, although over 90% of both genders reported chest pain.