Date of Award

2012

Embargo Period

8-1-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Health Administration

College

College of Health Professions

First Advisor

Kit N. Simpson

Second Advisor

Andrea W. White

Third Advisor

Christina Björklund

Abstract

Coronary arterial disease is the leading cause of death and morbidity in developing countries. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has traditionally been considered a disease affecting mostly men, yet women are increasingly at risk due to obesity and diabetes. However, current trends in the AMI risk for women are not well understood. This study used archival data on hospital discharges from three states within the USA to examine the 10-year trend in presentations of patients to emergency rooms (ER) with a presenting diagnosis of chest pain and AMI, to document rate changes by gender over time. We observed a decreasing number of AMIs over time, but an increasing proportion of MI admissions being female, and an especially high rate observed for minority women. Women with an AMI also have a higher rate of comorbid obesity and/or diabetes than observed in men. In addition, women are more likely to have comorbid signs or diagnoses with symptoms that could mimic AMI symptoms, and thus confuse the rapid diagnosis of an AMI. National guidelines stress the importance of a timely diagnosis of patients presenting with an AMI. To assure equity in access to quality care for AMI patients, both medical professionals and the public may need education focused on the increasing rate of AMI within the female population.

Rights

All rights reserved. Copyright is held by the author.

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