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Gender differences on chest pain perception associated with acute myocardial infarction in Chinese patients: a

Jane J B Khan1, John W Albarran, Violet Lopez

  • 1The Cardiac Care Center, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. janekhan@netvigator.com

Journal of Clinical Nursing
|September 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Chinese men and women exhibit distinct chest pain perceptions during acute myocardial infarction. Women, presenting with more atypical symptoms, represent a high-risk group for delayed diagnosis and require aggressive investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Research
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Timely treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is crucial, with thrombolytic therapy most effective within 12 hours of chest pain onset.
  • Patient interpretation of cardiac symptoms can delay hospital presentation.
  • Gender-based differences in symptom reporting may contribute to misdiagnoses and treatment delays, particularly for women.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate gender-specific differences in chest pain perception among Chinese patients experiencing acute myocardial infarction.
  • To determine if established trends of atypical symptom presentation in women with AMI apply to the Chinese population.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive prospective study design was employed.
  • Data collected via questionnaires included demographics, prevalence of chest pain and other sensations, pain intensity, description, location, and radiation.
  • 128 participants, equally divided by gender, were recruited.

Main Results:

  • Chest pain was reported more frequently by men (84.37%) than women (67.19%).
  • Men experienced more upper right chest pain (40.74% vs. 20.93%), while women reported increased neck and central chest/back pain.
  • Women were more likely to report atypical chest pain (9.3% vs. 0.00%).

Conclusions:

  • Significant gender disparities in chest pain perception exist in Chinese AMI patients.
  • Women with AMI in this cohort presented with more atypical symptoms, highlighting them as a high-risk group for delayed diagnosis.
  • Aggressive investigation is warranted for women presenting with potential myocardial infarction symptoms, regardless of cultural background.
Abstract

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