Mayo Clinic Study Identifies Unique Causes of Heart Attacks in Young Women
A new study from the Mayo Clinic, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, has uncovered significant differences in the causes of heart attacks between men and women, particularly among younger patients. The research, based on data from over 1,474 heart attacks spanning 15 years, found that nontraditional factors such as spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), embolisms, and other rare conditions are responsible for more than half of heart attacks in women under 65. This contrasts sharply with men’s heart attacks, where atherosclerosis accounts for 75% of cases.
Dr. Claire Raphael, an interventional cardiologist and first author of the study, emphasized that these findings highlight the need for greater awareness of nontraditional causes of heart attacks, especially in younger women. She explained that misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatments, such as unnecessary stent placement, and that understanding the root cause of a heart attack is crucial for long-term recovery and preventing recurrence.
The study also found that conditions such as SCAD, which involves a tear in the coronary artery, are nearly six times more common in women than in men. This condition is often misdiagnosed as a typical atherosclerosis-related heart attack, potentially leading to misdirected interventions. Additionally, heart attacks triggered by stressors like anemia or infection carried higher five-year mortality rates, according to the researchers.
Senior author Dr. Rajiv Gulati stressed the importance of rethinking how heart attacks are approached in younger women and the need for clinicians to recognize conditions such as SCAD, embolism, and stress-related triggers. Patients are also urged to be proactive in seeking answers if symptoms persist, as accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist not involved in the study, added that being young, healthy, and female does not guarantee immunity from heart attacks and that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and awareness of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol are critical for heart health.
Despite the study’s valuable insights, limitations remain, including its lack of ethnic diversity and failure to account for the severity of underlying medical conditions. Nevertheless, the research serves as a reminder that heart attacks can have varied causes, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not be suitable for younger patients presenting with cardiac symptoms. The study underscores the necessity for both patients and healthcare providers to remain vigilant and informed about potential causes of heart attacks, particularly in women.