Differences in the symptoms associated with unstable angina and myocardial infarction.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the symptoms experienced by patients with unstable angina (UA) differed from the symptoms experienced by patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Data were obtained from two studies: one examining the symptoms of MI (n=238) and one examining the symptoms of UA (n=100). Interviews were conducted after hospital admission at three medical centers in the Midwest. There were no differences between patients with MI or UA in age, gender, or race. The patients experiencing MI reported significantly more nausea (46% vs. 32%), vomiting (19% vs. 2%), indigestion (42% vs. 16%), and fainting (9% vs. 2%). The patients experiencing UA reported significantly more chest discomfort (97% vs. 87%), lightheadedness (52% vs. 39%), numbness in the hands (43% vs. 28%), and neck discomfort (31% vs. 13%). Patients with MI rated the peak intensity of the chest discomfort higher than patients with UA (mean 8.4 vs. mean 7.7).