Chest pain in women

Published on 10/03/2015 by admin

Filed under Obstetrics & Gynecology

Last modified 10/03/2015

Print this page

rate 1 star rate 2 star rate 3 star rate 4 star rate 5 star
Your rating: none, Average: 0 (0 votes)

This article have been viewed 1055 times

Chapter 9 CHEST PAIN IN WOMEN

Chest pain is a very common complaint of patients presenting to the emergency room, as well as those presenting to outpatient clinics. More than 50% of patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain have acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism, or heart failure. However, most patients presenting to outpatient departments have diseases such as stable angina, musculoskeletal disorders, gastrointestinal disease, pulmonary disease, or psychiatric disorders.

Of patients who present with acute coronary syndrome, women are more likely than men to experience atypical chest pain and complain of associated symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dyspnea, or neck and shoulder pain. In addition, the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome is more likely to be delayed in women. It is important that when a woman presents with chest pain, the history is carefully documented and a careful physical examination is performed to evaluate for more serious causes of chest pain. A complete work-up should be performed if it is indicated.