PURPOSE
This study was to explore gender differences on presenting patients with acute myocardial infarction in the emergency department.
METHODS
The survey was done with 143 emergency medical charts presented to the emergency department and diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction between January 2005 and December 2006. The collected data were analyzed with frequency, chi-square, and t-test.
RESULTS
Significant gender differences were apparent in age, route to the emergency department, elapsed time from onset of symptoms to arrival, and initial heart rate. Women were significantly more likely to report hypertension, diabetes, and congestive heart failure than men, but men were significantly more likely to report smoking. Chest pain was the most common initial symptom in both men and women. Women were significantly more likely to report dyspnea and nausea/vomiting than men.
CONCLUSION
Although similarities exist in the associated symptoms of acute myocardial infarction, women might experience different symptoms, compared to men. These findings have implication that patients and health care providers should consider gender difference in presenting symptoms.
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