Specific diagnostic problems in women

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

12-1-1995

Journal

Journal of Myocardial Ischemia

Volume

7

Issue

6

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that, among elderly women with ischemic heart disease (IHD), both symptoms and quality of life differ from those in men. In addition, women have a higher frequency of asymptomatic ischemia and, when they do experience symptoms, these are often 'atypical.' Diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that signals from noninvasive tests are less likely to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in women. However, use of echocardiography during or after stress shows promise in women. Patients with angina-like chest pain but normal coronary angiograms, the majority of whom are women, have a relatively good prognosis, yet their quality of life is often poor. Therefore, better methods for identifying and treating these patients are needed. Similarly, the relationships between psychosocial risk factors and cardiovascular disease require further study.

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