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Angina in Women

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Abstract

Angina pectoris, the pain of myocardial ischemia, is the major initial and subsequent presentation of coronary disease in women. Angina in women is associated with more adverse morbidity, mortality, and quality-of-life outcomes than for men, despite women having less obstructive coronary artery disease and better left ventricular function. Women with chest pain and myocardial ischemia, in the absence of significant obstructive disease of the coronary arteries, have prominent morbidity and mortality outcomes; the postulated mechanism is microvascular disease. Women also have more non-chest pain manifestations of myocardial ischemia than men. These variables must be incorporated in assessments of optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for myocardial ischemia in women.

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Abbreviations

ACTION:

A Coronary Disease Trial Investigating Outcomes With Nifedipine Gastrointestinal Therapeutic System

ARTS:

Arterial Revascularization Therapy Study

CADENCE:

Coronary Artery Disease in General Practice Study

CASS:

Coronary Artery Surgery Study

COURAGE:

Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Guideline-Driven Drug Evaluation

MERLIN-TIMI 36:

Metabolic Efficiency With Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction-36

TIME:

Trial of Invasive Versus Medical Therapy in Elderly

WISE:

Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation

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Disclosure

Dr. Wenger has received research grants/contracts and been on trial steering committee/trial adjudication committee/trial data safety and monitoring board for the following companies: Pfizer, Merck, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Gilead Sciences, Abbott, Sanofi-Aventis, and Eli Lilly. She has had consultantships for the following companies: Gilead Sciences; Cardiovascular Advisory Board, Leadership Council for Improving Cardiovascular Care (LCIC) Executive Committee, Schering-Plough; Astra-Zeneca; Abbott Women’s Advisory Board; Merck; Pfizer; Boston Scientific; Medtronic Women’s CV Health Advisory Panel; and Genzyme.

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  1. Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive, SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA

    Nanette K. Wenger

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  1. Nanette K. Wenger
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Correspondence to Nanette K. Wenger.

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Wenger, N.K. Angina in Women. Curr Cardiol Rep 12, 307–314 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-010-0111-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-010-0111-z

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