Sex differences when coronary artery disease is suspected

Despite similarities in age, clinical risk-factor profiles, and incidence of initial electrocardiographic stress or thallium-201 imaging abnormalities, the 391 women in our study group of 840 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent further testing less frequently than men during three years of follow-up. Lower test usage rates for women were associated with less frequent referrals for coronary revascularization and higher cardiac event rates. After an initial abnormal noninvasive stress or imaging test result, women with suspected coronary artery disease had fewer additional diagnostic studies than men despite similar prevalences of typical angina, cardiac risk factors, and abnormal results of the initial screening tests.