Gender based differences in symptoms of acute coronary syndrome

To determine gender based differences in presenting symptoms in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Cross-sectional, comparative study. National institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, from January to June 2010. Information was obtained by questionnaire from the patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Fisher's exact test and Chi-square analysis were used for data testing. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Four hundred and thirty-seven patients included 230 males and 207 females. Among them unstable angina was diagnosed in 112 males and 142 females, Non ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was diagnosed in 37 males and 26 females. ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was diagnosed in 81 males and 39 females. Retrosternal pain was the presenting feature in 95 males and 100 females, left sided chest pain was noted in 155 males and 127 females, left arm pain was noted in 61 males and 59 females, right chest pain was noted in 74 males and 41 females, lower jaw pain was noted in 11 males and 16 females, abdominal pain was noted in 9 males and 17 females, 76 males and 88 females had dyspnea, 26 males and 38 females had vomiting, 24 males and 26 females had vertigo, 39 males and 28 females complained of sweating, 3 males and 6 females complained of palpitation, 2 males and 1 female complained of loss of consciousness. There are gender differences in the symptoms of ACS. These differences may have a bearing on clinical practice, interpretation of available clinical studies and the design of future investigations.