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Gender differences in the clinical presentation of heart disease
Peter Collins1, Cristiana Vitale, Ilaria Spoletini
1Brompton Hospital, Imerial College of Science & Technology, London, UK.
Insights
Women
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gender-specific Medicine
- Medical Diagnosis
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) symptoms are often based on male presentations.
- This leads to "atypical" symptom classification in women, causing misdiagnosis and under-treatment.
- Women face delays in seeking medical help and receiving appropriate investigations and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the differences in clinical presentation of heart disease between men and women.
- To emphasize the need for gender-specific assessment in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentations of heart disease in men versus women.
- Analysis of diagnostic and treatment disparities based on gender.
Main Results:
- Heart disease symptoms in women are frequently misdiagnosed as "atypical".
- Women are less likely to undergo necessary investigations and receive timely, effective treatment.
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment initiation are common in female patients.
Conclusions:
- A gender-specific approach to cardiovascular risk assessment is crucial.
- Recognizing sex-based differences in symptom presentation is vital for accurate diagnosis and management of heart disease in women.
Abstract:
The clinical presentation of heart disease is different between men and women and this distinction is pivotal for a correct diagnosis and an adequate treatment. However, the definition of symptoms classically associated with heart disease is mainly based on the characteristics of those reported in men. Chest pain or chest discomfort in women are therefore often regarded as "atypical" and these symptoms tend to be misdiagnosed and under-treated. Further, women are less likely to receive appropriate invasive and non invasive investigations. They are less likely to refer for medical help and tend to present late in the process of the cardiovascular disease, with delays in the start of effective treatment. Therefore, a gender-specific assessment of cardiovascular risk is strongly advised for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of heart disease.
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