Gender difference of symptoms of acute coronary syndrome among Chinese patients: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The incidence of acute coronary syndrome is increasing in China. OBJECTIVE: To investigate gender differences in Chinese patients' acute coronary syndrome symptoms, attribution of symptoms and reasons for seeking medical service. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, multicentre study. Acute coronary syndrome patients were recruited from five university hospitals located in four cities, between June 2013 and February 2014. Data were collected using the McSweeney acute and prodromal myocardial infarction symptom survey. RESULTS: A total of 806 patients with acute coronary syndrome (323 men, 483 women) participated in the study. Adjusted (diabetes, smoking, age) logistic regression models revealed that women were significantly more likely to have pain or discomfort in the: central high chest; back, between, or under the shoulder blades; neck or throat; or arms relative to men. Women were also more likely to have unusual fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or dizziness relative to men. Conversely, women were significantly less likely to have generalised chest pain relative to men. Gender difference in the attribution of symptoms was largely driven by women's attribution to having a heart attack more frequently than men. Finally, women were more often told by a friend to seek medical help or they knew their symptoms were different, while men more frequently sought medical help because their symptoms did not go away. CONCLUSIONS: There were gender differences in pain, discomfort and other symptoms. Both potential patients and healthcare providers need to be more aware of potential gender differences in acute coronary syndrome symptoms and decisions to seek care to ensure quick access.