Aditi Nimishakavi

What gender-based disparities exist in the symptoms and diagnosis of myocardial infarction among women compared with men?

Started Feb. 20, 2024

Abstract or project description

Title - Gender-based Disparities in Symptoms and Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction: A Review of the Literature

Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of mortality among women, and it continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated compared with cardiovascular disease in men. Globally, 1 in 3 deaths in women are caused by cardiovascular disease. Due to a lack of representation of women in previous clinical trials, they are less likely to be diagnosed because of the absence of “classical” symptoms of heart disease. This makes it important to research differences in symptomatology and disparities in diagnostic workup between men and women as it relates to heart disease, and specifically heart attack. The goal of this review paper is to investigate differences in presentation and diagnosis of myocardial infarction between men and women. This paper will also examine evidence-based treatments or solutions to the disparities highlighted above.