Male+and+Female+heart+testing-added+study+guide

From webcast Gender difference at macro and micro level Women have smaller hearts, smaller arteries, hearts beat faster (during sleep as well), which is independent of body size. Difference in intrinsic rhythmicity of the pacemaker of the heart in women Molecular level differences: -Different protein channels in cardiac cell membrane that regulates time it takes the heart to relax after each beat Women’s hearts take longer to relax then men’s Significance: Diagnostic testing – looking for coronary artery disease Exercise tests react differently -heart mass per unit area is different -mechanics of the heart is different both at rest and with exercise -imaging studies are different Bias against women being referred for angiography Stress echo – cost effective tool for women that’s equally applicable to men -take an ultrasound image of the heart, have patient exercise, then re-image the heart See heart side by side to see differences that occur Info about mechanics of heart, muscle and valve function and health of arteries
 * 7. Physiological differences between men and women's hearts that may effect cardiac testing **