Symptoms of unstable angina in patients with and without diabetes

Patients with diabetes experience cardiac autonomic neuropathy that may affect the way they perceive the symptoms of unstable angina (UA). The purpose of this study was to examine symptom differences in patients with and without diabetes during an episode of UA. A convenience sample of 50 women and 50 men were recruited. Patients with diabetes were more likely to have a history of hypercholesterolemia (83% vs. 60%), prior history of heart disease (85% vs. 65%), and prior angiogram (85% vs. 67%). Patients with diabetes reported having less nausea (20% vs. 40%), less squeezing (25% vs. 48%) and less aching (25% vs. 45%) type pain, and more hyperventilation (27.5% vs. 11.7%). Other cardiac symptoms were similar between the groups. Further study of symptom presentation in patients with diabetes is warranted given their high levels of morbidity and mortality from cardiac disease.