Gender and symptoms of acute coronary syndrome - Is clinical presentation of acute coronary syndromes in women different from those in men?

Nowadays cardiologists are interested in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in women. In 1989, it was established, that men rather than women suffer cardiovascular diseases (CVD), however the stabile angina is recognised more frequently than earlier. Clinical symptoms of ACS in women are nonspecific: discomfort in the back and high chest, shortness of breath, weakness, unusual fatigue, cold sweat and dizziness. Unstabile angina or NSTE ACS are more frequently recognised in woman, in addition a significant correlation between markers of myocardial ischaemia and changes found in coronarography had been not established. These troubles in clinical assessment of ACS in woman can delay right diagnosis and treatment. Treatment of ACS in woman is rarely efficient and scientists observe more significant complications. The authors present differences in ACS in women (Adv Clin Exp Med 2007, 16, 3, 457-463).