To identify differences between both genders regarding coronary artery disease occurrence. In referred patients for cardiac catheterization we investigated coronary risk factors, clinical diagnosis, associated diseases, left ventricle ejection fraction, and coronary lesions. Data were analyzed by X2 test, Student t test, odds ratio and confidence intervals, a p value < 0.05 was considered significant. We studied 586 patients, 409 were men. Women were older than men (59.43 +/- 9.93 vs 56.80 +/- 10.14 years old, p < 0.05). The frequency of coronary lesions in women was 56 vs 81% in men. The proportions of positive nuclear medicine studies (14 vs 16%) and exercise treadmill test (36 vs 28%) were similar. Acute myocardial infarction was the most frequent diagnosis in men (46%) whereas in women it was angor pectoris (57%). Smoking was observed more in men (72 vs 26%) and systemic arterial hypertension in women (65 vs 48%), There were no differences in diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia frequencies. Systemic arterial hypertension was the risk factor more frequent in women, where as in men it was smoking. Ischemia induction tests are less specific to identify coronary atherosclerosis in women. In spite of the clinical data, image and laboratory results, we had a great proportion of women without coronary lesions.