RESUMO
Coronary Artery Disease [CAD] is one of the most common causes of mortality and disability in the world. The results of some studies show that there are differences in signs and symptoms of CAD between male and female. This research was done to compare males and females for these signs and symptoms in 600 hospitalized patients in coronary care units of Kerman Medical University from December 2004 to July 2005. for data collection a questionnaire was used which was designed in five section: demographic characteristics, disease variables, pictures for determining the points of chest pain, Visual Analog Scale for determining the intensity of pain and measures taken by patients after the beginning the signs and symptoms. This questionnaire was completed by two nurses in different shifts by interviewing the patients. For data analysis T test, Chi 2 Fisher exact and Man-Whitney U were used. The results showed that the women were older than men [p<0.001]. Most women had unstable angina and men had myocardial infarction [P<0.05]. There were no significant difference between the chest pain in both genders but neck pain, back pain, fatigue, decrease of appetite, flushing, dizziness, tiredness, visual disturbances, suffocation feeling, palpitation and restlessness were experienced in women more than men [p<0.05]. Also dyspenea during the heart attack was seen in most women [44.7% vs 29.4%] but there was no significant difference between two genders for intensity of pain. This study showed that atypical signs and symptoms of unstable angina and myocardial infarction were seen in female more than male. Furthermore this may be followed by some problems in diagnosis and then delay in referring the patients to medical centers. On the other hand, health care workers may not pay enough attention to these atypical signs and symptoms, in women with normal ECG so they might not receive necessary services