Objective:

To identify the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the experience of the symptom of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) in women, according to the theory of Symptom Management.

Method:

Observational cross-sectional study, 81 women with ACS attended at a University Hospital in Colombia participated. Sociodemographic variables, risk factors for cardiovascular disease, response actions to symptoms and perception, evaluation and response to symptoms were analyzed through the instrument application on the Experience of the Symptom in Women with ACS.

Results:

Of participants 80% were over 60 years old, the majority with a low level of education and urban residence. The main risk factor was hypertension and more than 50% of them reported sedentary lifestyle, dyslipidemia, and an unhealthy diet. Women presented an average of 10 atypical symptoms for each event, highlighting chest pain or discomfort in 85%. 66.3% defined the origin of the symptom as an extra-cardiac conditions and 4 out of 10 patients considered the manifestations as insignificant. 16% of the participants took home remedies and 25% of them waited the symptoms to improve without request professional attention. The relationship between time in attending medical consultation and ignoring the symptoms presents statistical significance (p = 0.000).

Conclusions:

Women with ACS presented a variety of symptoms, do not perceive the severity of its manifestations, and generally respond late to symptoms, a relevant factor for timely care and treatment.

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