Although chest pain is the most common presenting symptom of MI in both men and women, many women may not experience chest pain with MI.18 Women commonly experience what are usually referred to in the literature as "atypical" MI symptoms. Common MI symptoms in women include18-20:
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Unusual fatigue
- Back, neck, jaw, or shoulder pain
- Nausea or indigestion
Because their presentation is not considered "typical," women may not get rapid, appropriate triage at the hospital.5 Triage biases, such as the perception that younger women are unlikely to have an MI, can also delay diagnosis and treatment.21 Perhaps it is time to remove the "atypical" label and recognize such symptoms simply as women's MI symptoms. Changing the way physicians think about women's symptoms may help reduce delays in presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of MI.19
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Facts About CAD in Women
Gender Differences
Symptoms
Chest Pain and Myocardial Infarction
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