Comparison of clinical manifestations of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in middle-aged and elderly people

Aim.The aim of this study was to compare clinical manifestations of ACS in middle-aged and elderly people who were hospitalized in ShahidRajai Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center in 2016 .
Background. ACS is one of the most important health challenges in the world. The most important diagnostic marker of ACS is the clinical symptoms, but the symptoms of the disease are different among middle-aged and elderly people.
Method. This study was a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 384 patients with ACS admitted to ShahidRajai Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center in 2016. Data collection tools included demographics form, a questionnaire for recording signs and symptoms of ACS and the pain questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS 18.
Findings. The most common symptom was chest pain in both groups. Typical symptoms between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference. Of non-typical symptoms, hiccup was reported more in middle-age group than the elderly group (P=0.001). In terms of the location of the pain, left arm in the elderly was higher than the middle-aged group (P=0.001). The quality of pain in both groups was not significantly different.
Conclusion. Chest pain is the most common symptom in both middle-aged and elderly people. Among the non-typical symptoms, only hiccups in the middle-aged people are more common than the elderly people. Health care providers should pay more attention to the initial assessment.