Symptoms of angina in women
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Symptoms of Angina in Women
Introduction to Angina Symptoms in Women
Angina, a symptom of myocardial ischemia, is a common presentation in women with coronary artery disease. However, the symptom experience and response to angina in women differ significantly from men, often leading to delayed treatment and increased morbidity and mortality. Understanding these differences is crucial for improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Common and Atypical Symptoms of Angina in Women
Chest Pain and Pain Descriptors
Women often experience chest pain differently than men. While men typically describe angina as a pressure or squeezing sensation in the chest, women may use different descriptors such as stabbing or knifelike pain. Additionally, women are more likely to report pain in areas other than the chest, such as the upper back, neck, jaw, or throat .
Non-Chest Pain Symptoms
Women frequently experience non-chest pain symptoms during angina episodes. These include shortness of breath, weakness, difficulty breathing, nausea, and loss of appetite. These symptoms can be misleading and may not be immediately recognized as cardiac-related, contributing to delays in seeking medical care .
Emotional and Mental Stress
Angina in women is often precipitated by emotional or mental stress rather than physical exertion, which is more common in men. This difference in triggers can lead to underestimation of the severity of the condition and delayed treatment.
Impact of Diabetes, Somatic Awareness, and Hormonal Status
Diabetes, somatic awareness, and hormonal status can attenuate or alter the perception of anginal pain in women. These factors may contribute to the atypical presentation of symptoms, making it more challenging to diagnose and treat angina effectively.
Differences in Symptom Reporting and Health Outcomes
Self-Reported Health and Adverse Outcomes
Women with angina often report worse self-reported health compared to those with unspecific chest pain. This poor self-reported health is associated with higher rates of adverse outcomes, such as unplanned cardiac readmissions and revascularization procedures. Despite these adverse outcomes, mortality rates between women with angina and those with unspecific chest pain are similar.
Racial Differences in Symptom Presentation
Black women are less likely to report typical chest-related symptoms and more likely to report stomach-related symptoms compared to white women. These differences in symptom presentation are linked to higher mortality rates in black women, highlighting the need for tailored diagnostic and treatment approaches.
Conclusion
The symptom experience of angina in women is complex and often differs significantly from men. Women are more likely to experience and report atypical symptoms, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Understanding these differences is crucial for healthcare providers to improve the timeliness and accuracy of angina diagnosis in women, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality rates. Future research should focus on addressing these gaps in knowledge and developing targeted interventions to improve outcomes for women with angina.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic