CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE - Racial Differences

Do you know that racial differences in coronary artery disease exist? according to studies, mortality rates due to coronary artery disease are higher in African American men (7%) and African American Women (35%) than in their Caucasian counterparts. Recent findings suggest that African Americans may delay longer than Caucasians in seeking emergency care and commonly have atypical symptom presentation.
Studies such as this one contribute to the growing body of evidence showing that there are racial differences in presentation of acute CAD.
Nurses and other health professionals need to be aware that "atypical" symptoms of angina and myocardial infarction, such as shortness of breath or left-sided chest pain, are common, especially among African Americans. Any patient with shortness of breath or left-sided chest pain should be assessed for other symptoms of CAD.
Nurses should consult with nurse practitioner s or physicians regarding diagnostic studies for CAD for any patient experiencing one of these symptoms. Nurses can teach colleagues and the lay public about shortness of breath, left-sided chest pain, and other symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease and instruct them on how to access the emergency medical system if any of these symptoms are experienced.