Testing women for heart artery disease

THE differences between women and men extend to the nature of heart artery disease. Most of the research data that has been published on heart artery disease was mainly based on study populations that had a predominantly male bias and it is only more recently that there has been evidence that women often do not have typical symptoms. This has resulted in under diagnosis and under treatment of women with heart artery disease, leading to higher death rates and increased complications.

Non-chest pain symptoms

While men with blockage of their heart arteries usually experience chest pain or chest tightness on physical exertion, women may have symptoms that are precipitated by mental or emotional stress rather than physical exertion. In addition to chest pain, women may suffer from upper abdominal discomfort, pain radiating to neck or arm, tiredness or shortness of breath. Due to the non-specific symptoms of women, there may be a possibility of an increasing referral of women for diagnostic testing to determine more accurately those who have a higher likelihood for heart attacks in the future.