Angina symptoms in men and women with stable coronary artery disease and evidence of exercise-induced myocardial perfusion defects.
BACKGROUND
To examine sex differences in pain and associated symptoms in patients with exercise-related ischemia, as well as the independence of these findings from other clinical factors.


METHODS
Prospective study of 482 women and 425 men (mean age 58 years) undergoing exercise stress testing with myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Analyses were performed on 38 women and 94 men with both angina and MPI evidence of ischemia during exercise.


METHODS
Chest pain localization, extension, intensity, quality, and presence of various non-pain-related symptoms.


RESULTS
Women rated their pain as more intense, used different words to describe it, and reported more non-pain-related symptoms than men (P < .05). They experienced pain and other sensations in the neck area more frequently (P < .05). Most of these differences remained after controlling for clinical or psychological variables, with the exception of pain intensity measures.


CONCLUSIONS
Sex differences in the experience of symptoms associated with MPI evidence of myocardial ischemia may complicate timely and accurate diagnosis of ischemia in women.
Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. bianca.d'antono@internet.uqam.ca
Bianca
B
D'Antono
Gilles
G
Dupuis
Christophe
C
Fortin
André
A
Arsenault
Denis
D
Burelle
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors