What are the major limitations in cardiac imaging for women rather than men?
Dr. Wood: The major limitation is that women are more likely to have a false-positive result [on any cardiac test] than men. This is probably because of the effect of estrogen on the blood vessels. Estrogen deficiency results in the false appearance of blocked arteries on the electrocardiogram in many women. Estrogen causes the blood vessels to react differently, and they may give the appearance of heart disease when none is present. However, using visual imaging modalities can reduce the likelihood of getting a false-positive test result. Dr. Val: What is “broken heart syndrome,” and is it dangerous? Dr. Wood: When a woman’s heart is exposed to large amounts of adrenaline, such as when she hears shocking news [like the death of a loved one], her blood vessels constrict. And since a woman’s blood vessels are smaller than a man’s, this constriction can result in a temporary but substantial decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle. This causes the tip of the heart and the middle of the
