Abstract

RINCON O, Fanny; GARNICA, Gloria; DE VILLALOBOS, María M  and  RODRIGUEZ, Jaime. Characterization of angina's symptoms in a group of women with positive stress test. Rev. Col. Cardiol. [online]. 2007, vol.14, n.3, pp.159-172. ISSN 0120-5633.

Introduction: coronary disease is an important morbimortality cause worldwide. The specific characteristics of the clinical picture of angina in women are unknown and this fact influences the attention, treatment, mortality, lifestyle and social costs. Objective: to characterize the angina’s symptoms in relation to the presentation pattern, the role integration and the perceived effort in a group of women with positive stress test. Design: this is an exploratory descriptive study with quality-quantitative approach. 15 women with pain or thoracic discomfort and positive stress test for coronary disease, were included. Results: Risk factors, characterization in relation with role integration, of perceived effort and presentation pattern were investigated. Different categories such as «oppression», «little important», stabbing sensation», respiratory symptoms, and simultaneous symptoms were found. Most women refer feeling the symptom without consulting or asking for help. Increase in physical activity is the determinant factor in 8 women; most of them confront the situation with rest and breathing, living with the symptom, taking medications and informing their relatives; 3 consult health professionals. 6 relate the event to physical trauma or psychological stress, 5 don’t know and for 3 it is a reflection of a life stage. Conclusions: a categorical expression pattern that contributes to the construction of a female profile in the diagnosis of coronary disease is observed.

Keywords : symptoms of angina; woman; positive stress test; characterization.

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