Do men and women differ on measures of mental stress-induced ischemia?
OBJECTIVE
To consider the effects of gender on ischemia in a larger sample, with broadly defined coronary artery disease (CAD). Mental stress has been shown to cause transient myocardial ischemia in a significant percentage of people with CAD. However, little is known about the effects of mental stress on ischemic processes in women. Most studies to date either had few women or required a positive exercise stress test.


METHODS
Participants (61 women, 93 men; average age = 63 years) had documented CAD (positive stress test, abnormal catheterization even with minimal disease, or previous myocardial infarction). They underwent mental stress testing and radionuclide perfusion imaging (stress/ rest). Cardiac function data were collected and stress was compared with baseline. The data were then submitted to a series of analyses of variance.


RESULTS
A total of 50 (32%) participants exhibited reversible ischemia post psychological stress. This reflects a relative rate of 33% (n = 31 of 93) for men and 31% (n = 19 of 61) for women. No difference between men and women were observed on any measure of hemodynamic functioning (blood pressure, heart rate, or cardiac perfusion).


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study showed no significant differences between men and women on measures of hemodynamic functioning or cardiac perfusion.
York
Kaki M
KM
Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. kaki.york@va.gov
Hassan
Mustafa
M
Li
Qin
Q
Li
Haihong
H
Fillingim
Roger B
RB
Lucey
Dorian
D
Bestland
Melinda
M
Sheps
David S
DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*