Original Articles
Comparison of reported symptoms of acute myocardial infarction in Mexican Americans versus non-Hispanic whites (the Corpus Christi heart project)

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Abstract

This study examines whether there are differences between Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites in reported symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The symptoms experienced by patients identified in a community-based surveillance program were examined to determine whether between-group differences existed by ethnicity, gender, and diabetic status. Data were available regarding the symptoms of 589 patients, between the ages of 25 and 74 years, who were hospitalized and diagnosed as either having definite or possible AMI in special care units at 1 of 7 hospitals in Corpus Christi, Texas. The most frequently reported symptoms were chest pain (83.2%), chest pressure or discomfort (67.6%), sweating (64.2%), fatigue (62.6%), dyspnea (60.3%), and arm or jaw pain (58.2%). After adjusting for age, diabetes mellitus, and gender, and relative to non-Hispanic whites, Mexican Americans were more likely to report chest pain, upper back pain, and palpitations, and less likely to report arm or jaw pain. Likewise, relative to men, women were more likely to report fatigue, dyspnea, dizziness, upper back pain, palpitations, and cough, and were less likely to report chest pain. Significant differences were also observed when older patients’ symptoms were compared with younger patients’ symptoms.

Section snippets

Patient selection

Between May 1988 and April 1990, patients hospitalized and diagnosed as either having definite or possible acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were recruited and interviewed in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas. Eligible patients were between the ages of 25 and 74 years, and were hospitalized for suspected acute cardiac ischemia (AMI, unstable angina, chest pain/rule out myocardial infarction) in coronary care or other special care units at the 7 hospitals serving the Nueces County population.

Patient characteristics

The total study population was comprised of 623 self-identified Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white men and women, ages 25 through 74 years, who met the criteria for definite or possible myocardial infarction. Of the 623 patients, 34 asymptomatic patients were excluded from this analysis. The final study population comprised 296 Mexican Americans and 293 non-Hispanic whites. Among Mexican Americans, 107 were women (36%) and 189 were men (64%). Among non-Hispanic whites, 94 were women (32%)

Discussion

This study sought to document the differences in the presenting symptoms of Mexican Americans compared with non-Hispanic whites. In the current study, significant ethnic differences were observed in the prevalence of reporting for 4 of 12 symptoms. These differences in symptom reporting emphasize the need to provide specific information when designing educational messages. Although it is important that there is awareness of all possible AMI symptoms, it is equally important to underscore the

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This study was supported by grant HL38429 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.

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