There are gender differences in the presentation, management and prognosis of AMI. Unfortunately, women continue to have a poorer overall outcome. This may be attributed to:

• "atypical" presentation

• delay in presentations

• advanced age

• co-morbid conditions

To date most of the gender differences observed in cardiovascular disease can be attributed to the differences in treatment and reaction to treatment for men and women. In the future research focused on physiological and sex based differences between men and women, including the slight, but not insignificant, size difference between men and women in an average population, may lead to a greater understanding of the way in which men and women differ in response to cardiovascular disease and treatment.  Future research will need to look at gender differences; the social,cultural and economic factors that influence prevention,diagnosis and overall management of cardiovascular disease.

Traditionally, teaching and research on AMI has focused on men, leading to an understanding of CHD based upon the male experience. While research on women’s health and CVD has been increasing over the past decade, there remains a need to develop an approach to the recognition and treatment of CVD that is built on a clear understanding of the sex and gender based differences in CVD so that we can improve our ability to prevent, assess and manage the nation’s number one killer.