Review Article
Clinical presentation of CAD and myocardial ischemia in women

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Abstract

Angina is the most frequent initial and subsequent manifestation of ischemic heart disease in women. Women with stable ischemic heart disease have a more diverse symptom presentation than men, with prominent anginal equivalents; symptoms are more often precipitated by emotional or mental stress. Women, especially at younger age, whose acute myocardial infarction presentation is without chest pain have higher mortality rates than men without chest pain.

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Stable Ischemic Heart Disease

Angina is the most frequent initial and subsequent manifestation of coronary heart disease and myocardial ischemia in women and contributes both to the clinical and economic burden of cardiovascular disease. Women with stable ischemic heart disease, however, have a more diverse symptom presentation than do men, with pain or discomfort not only in the chest but in the arms, jaw, neck, and interscapular area; associated epigastric discomfort and associated nausea, and have a different pattern of

Acute Coronary Syndrome

Sex differences are equally evident in the clinical presentation of patients with acute coronary syndrome as well.11, 12, 13 Although central chest pain or discomfort is the most frequent presentation, women often evidence atypical chest pain radiations and angina equivalent symptoms such as dyspnea, weakness, fatigue, and indigestion, similar to the sex-differing presentations encountered in stable ischemic heart disease (Table 2).

Pain in the back, arm, neck, and shoulder, as well as unusual

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