
Evidence suggests that women have atypical symptoms more often than men, which may explain the frequent failure of clinicians to initially diagnose ACS in women. However, typical symptoms remain the strongest symptom predictors of ACS in women and are equally important in women as in men.
A summary of patient complaints is as follows:
Palpitations
Pain (usually described as pressure, squeezing, or a burning sensation across the precordium and may radiate to the neck, shoulder, jaw, back, upper abdomen, or either arm)
Exertional dyspnea
Diaphoresis from sympathetic discharge
Nausea from vagal stimulation
Decreased exercise tolerance
Physical findings can vary from normal to any of the following:
Hypotension: Indicates ventricular dysfunction due to myocardial ischemia, infarction, or acute valvular dysfunction
Hypertension: May precipitate angina or reflect elevated catecholamine levels due to anxiety or to exogenous sympathomimetic stimulation
Diaphoresis
Pulmonary edema and other signs of left heart failure
Extracardiac vascular disease
Jugular venous distention
Cool, clammy skin and diaphoresis in patients with cardiogenic shock
Rales or crackles on pulmonary examination may suggest left ventricular dysfunction or mitral regurgitation.
For more on the presentation of ACS, read here.
Medscape © 2017 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Yasmine S. Ali. Fast Five Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Acute Coronary Syndrome - Medscape - Apr 26, 2017.
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