Noninvasive cardiac testing in women

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among men and women. Although substantial research efforts have refined diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients at risk, the detection of CAD in women can be problematic. Atypical chest pain is not only more common among women than men, but the predictive value of traditional risk factors is also different for women and men. Moreover, sex-specific issues in the selection of an appropriate noninvasive diagnostic test must be considered. This article reviews the challenges inherent in the evaluation of chest pain in women as well as the strengths and limitations of the diagnostic stress-testing modalities commonly used.