In which of the following patient groups may acute coronary syndrome present as atypical chest pain?

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can indeed present with atypical chest pain, particularly in females. This can be attributed to several physiological and psychological factors. Women are more likely to experience non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting, rather than the classic presentation of crushing chest pain often associated with ACS. This atypical presentation can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment, making awareness of these differences crucial for timely intervention.

In contrast, children and teenagers typically have a lower prevalence of coronary artery disease and a different set of causes for chest pain, such as musculoskeletal issues or anxiety, which do not generally align with the presentation of ACS. Males, while they can also experience atypical symptoms, are more commonly seen presenting with the classic chest pain symptoms associated with ACS, making the likelihood of atypical presentations less common in this demographic compared to females. Understanding these variations assists healthcare professionals in recognizing ACS across diverse patient populations.