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Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), University of Toledo Health Science Campus, School of Nursing, 2005.

Abstract

Coronary artery disease is the most frequent cause of death among women in the United States. This may be due to differences in presentation of women with acute coronary syndrome. A convenience sample of 136 women who presented to an emergency department and were eventually diagnosed with ACS were reviewed for signs and symptoms at presentation, time to ECG and first cardiac medication. This study found that the majority of women (54.4%) presented with chest pain, however, a large number (45.6%) presented with other symptoms; sob, syncope weakness and falls. Presenting with non-chest pain symptoms was found to result in increased times to first diagnostic test and to first cardiac medication. The results are discussed in terms of Orem’s Self Care Deficit Theory of Nursing. Future studies should utilize larger sample sizes and multiple settings to validate findings and investigate outcomes in female patients who present with non-chest pain symptoms.

Subject Headings

Health Sciences, Nursing

Keywords

Women; Acute Coronary Syndrome; Signs and Symptoms

Advisor

Jane Evans

Pages

58p.

Document number: mco1115919964
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=mco1115919964

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