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Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body. When they are clear and healthy, blood moves easily to where it is needed. Clogged arteries, or atherosclerosis, occur when fatty deposits and inflammation build up inside the vessel walls (known as plaque), making them narrower and stiffer. This can reduce blood flow and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious problems. Fact check: Are heart attacks caused by bacterial infections?Kidney health: Best herbal teas for kidney support besides water and supplementsMany people have misconceptions about how arteries become clogged and what can be done to prevent or treat it. Understanding the real facts is essential, the main reason behind clogged arteries is persistent inflammation, high BP, sugar and cholesterol levels, excessive smoking - all of which harm the arterial lining over time. These wounds lead to the buildup of fatty plaques over time, which hardens and obstructs the blood flow.
A new study from the Mayo Clinic has uncovered some eye-opening facts about heart attacks in younger adults, especially women, that could change the way these serious events are understood and treated.Most people think heart attacks happen because of clogged arteries. That’s mostly true for older adults, but for younger folks under 65, especially women, heart attacks often have other causes that doctors haven’t paid enough attention to. This study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, looked at over 15 years of data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project and found some surprising patterns in what triggers heart attacks in these younger adults.First up, the usual suspect, artery-clogging plaque (known as atherosclerosis), still causes most heart attacks overall. But here’s the kicker: while it was behind about 75% of heart attacks in men under 65, it only accounted for about 47% of those in women under 65. That means for women, more than half of their heart attacks come from different, less-known causes.
Lesser known reasons of heart attack in young women
One of those “hidden” causes is spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or SCAD.
This is when a tear suddenly forms in a coronary artery, causing blood clots and blocking blood flow without any plaque buildup. SCAD is especially common in younger women who often seem healthy otherwise. What’s scary is that SCAD is often missed or mistaken for a typical heart attack caused by plaque, and if doctors treat it like a usual heart attack with stents or surgery, it can do more harm than good.
This study found SCAD is nearly six times more common in women than men.Another nontraditional cause this study pointed out was heart attacks triggered by stressors like anemia or infections. These triggers appear to cause what you might call “stress heart attacks,” which were the second most common cause overall here, and they came with the highest death rates over five years, about 33%. That means people who had heart attacks triggered by things like severe infections actually had a tougher time surviving than those with classic heart disease.The study also noted that “truly unexplained” heart attacks are very rare, less than 3% after doctors carefully reviewed cases. That’s good news because it means most heart attacks have identifiable reasons, which can help doctors tailor better treatments.Why does this all matter? Well, this research spotlights how critical it is to know the exact cause of a heart attack, not just treat the symptoms. When doctors misunderstand the root cause, treatments can be less effective or even risky.
For example, someone with SCAD might receive a stent they don’t actually need, putting them at new risks. Understanding a heart attack’s real cause can guide safer and smarter care, and hopefully, prevent the attack from happening again.To wrap it up, here are the main takeaways:
- Heart attacks in younger adults, especially women, often have causes beyond clogged arteries.
- SCAD is a common but under-recognized cause in younger women.
- Stress-related triggers like anemia or infection cause dangerous heart attacks with high death rates.
- Misdiagnosing the cause can lead to inappropriate treatments that might do more harm.
- Awareness and precise diagnosis are key to improving outcomes and recovery for younger heart attack patients.
This study reminds us that not all heart attacks are the same. The more we learn about these hidden causes, the better we get at protecting people’s hearts—especially younger women who might not fit the usual heart attack mold. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to ask questions and push for answers. Because knowing the why behind a heart attack can be lifesaving.
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