CHEST PAIN IN A SAMPLE OF IRAQI ELDERLY PATIENTS

Introduction: Recently there has been a sharp increase in the number of older persons worldwide. Chest pain in the geriatric population is one of the most common and life-threatening complaints. They are more likely to present with atypical symptoms and nonspecific physical findings, putting them at increased risk for misdiagnosis. Methodology: A 60 years and older patients with chest pain were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study. An instrument was designed for the purpose of the work filled by direct interview method. Results: Constricting type of pain formed the highest rate 32.7%, it was moderate to severe in 58.4%, and 57.4% perceived the pain at the mid-central area of the chest. Electrocardiography changes showed significant relationship with ischemic heart diseases in 49.5% of the patients. Echo- cardiology study showed finding went with ischemic heart disease in only 23.8%, mainly in form of ischemic pattern (41.7%). Conclusion: Chest pain is one of the most frequent complaints in the elderly population presenting to hospital. Aging may cause the clinical picture of chest pain to show atypical presentation.