Angina pectoris en myocardinfarct: verschillen tussen mannen en vrouwen in risicoprofiel en prognose en in verwijzingen door de huisarts

To detect possible sex differences in risk factors, referrals and prognosis after angina pectoris (AP) and myocardial infarction (MI).

Design

Retrospective.

Method

From 4 general practices in/around Nijmegen, the Netherlands, patients were selected who in 1985-1989 had a first episode of AP or a first MI. Sex differences regarding risk factors, referrals and prognosis were studied by means of patients' files.

Results

There were 71 men and 55 women with AP and 97 men and 58 women with MI. Mean age in AP was 69.6 year in women and 63.6 year in men, mean ages in MI were 74.9 and 64.4 year, respectively. Women with MI more frequently suffered from hypertension, AP or CVA/transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Men with MI were referred more often to a specialist than women, but not sooner. Development of cardiovascular co-morbidity after AP and after recovery from a MI were the same for both sexes. Of all patients with a MI 36 suffered a sudden unexpected death, mostly women.

Conclusion

Women with a first episode of AP and a MI were 6-10 years older than men. Women with a MI suffered more frequently from hypertension, AP and CVA/TIA. The prognosis after angina pectoris showed no sex differences. The prognosis after MI was worse in women than in men.