Comparison of reported symptoms of acute myocardial infarction in Mexican Americans versus non-Hispanic whites (The Corpus Christi Heart Project)

This study examines whether there are differences between Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites in reported symptoms of acute myocardial infarctio n (AMI). The symptoms experienced by patients identified in a community-bas ed surveillance program were examined to determine whether between-group di fferences existed by ethnicity, gender, and diabetic status. Data were avai lable regarding the symptoms of 589 patients, between the ages of 25 and 74 years, who were hospitalized and diagnosed as either having definite or po ssible AMI in Special care units at 1 of 7 hospitals in Corpus Christi, Tex as. The most frequently reported symptoms were chest pain (83.2%), chest pr essure or discomfort (67.6%), sweating (64.2%), fatigue (62.6%), dyspnea (6 0.3%), and arm or law pain (58.2%). After adjusting for age, diabetes melli tus, and gender, and relative to non-Hispanic whites, Mexican Americans wer e 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 wer e more likely to report fatigue, dyspnea, dizziness, upper back pain, palpi tations, 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. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.