Medical Edge Newspaper Column

Coronary Artery Disease: Different For Men and Women

January 6, 2008
Readers:
New research finds that coronary artery disease may take a different course in men and women, which may explain why the rate of death for women has declined more slowly than for men.

Several landmark studies published in the last year indicate that more women than men suffer from microvascular, or small vessel, heart disease, where the heart's tiniest vessels become clogged or narrowed, limiting blood flow to the heart.

These tiny clogged vessels don't show up on standard diagnostic tests, and doctors may assume that symptoms such as fatigue, light-headedness, or chest, neck or shoulder pain are caused by something other than heart disease. Because they are not easily recognized as being due to heart disease, for some patients — more often women — these symptoms can develop into recurrent chest pain, a heart attack or heart failure.

Mayo Clinic doctors recommend additional testing for people with coronary artery disease symptoms and no indication of clogged arteries.

Research continues, but until more is known, be aware of heart disease symptoms. Seek diagnosis and treatment when symptoms occur and talk to your doctor about testing for microvascular disease.

— Mayo Clinic Health Letter