Which demographic group experiencing acute coronary syndromes is more likely to present without chest pain?

Which demographic group experiencing acute coronary syndromes is more likely to present without chest pain?

• A. Males
• B. Females
• C. Elderly
• D. Children

Answer: (B)

In acute coronary syndromes, chest pain isn’t always the presenting feature. Some groups are more prone to atypical symptoms, which can make recognizing ACS harder. Females are more likely to present without chest pain. They often experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, indigestion, dizziness, or pain that isn’t classic chest tightness—like back, jaw, or upper abdominal discomfort. This pattern helps explain why ACS can be overlooked in women if clinicians expect the stereotypical chest pain. Males more commonly report chest pain as the dominant symptom, so they are less likely to have a non-chest-pain presentation compared with females. While elderly patients can also have atypical symptoms, the notable difference highlighted here is that women typically present with fewer chest-pain symptoms, influencing how clinicians evaluate possible ACS in this group.

In acute coronary syndromes, chest pain isn’t always the presenting feature. Some groups are more prone to atypical symptoms, which can make recognizing ACS harder.

Females are more likely to present without chest pain. They often experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, indigestion, dizziness, or pain that isn’t classic chest tightness—like back, jaw, or upper abdominal discomfort. This pattern helps explain why ACS can be overlooked in women if clinicians expect the stereotypical chest pain.

Males more commonly report chest pain as the dominant symptom, so they are less likely to have a non-chest-pain presentation compared with females. While elderly patients can also have atypical symptoms, the notable difference highlighted here is that women typically present with fewer chest-pain symptoms, influencing how clinicians evaluate possible ACS in this group.