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 infarction (AMI). The symptoms experienced by patients identified in a community-based surveillance program were examined to determine whether between-group differences existed by ethnicity, gender, and diabetic status. Data were available regarding the symptoms of 589 patients, between the ages of 25 and 74 years, who were hospitalized and diagnosed as either having definite or possible AMI in special care units at 1 of 7 hospitals in Corpus Christi, Texas. The most frequently reported symptoms were chest pain (83.2%), chest pressure or discomfort (67.6%), sweating (64.2%), fatigue (62.6%), dyspnea (60.3%), and arm or jaw pain (58.2%). After adjusting for age, diabetes mellitus, and gender, and relative to non-Hispanic whites, Mexican Americans were 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 were more likely to report fatigue, dyspnea, dizziness, upper back pain, palpitations, 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.