New heart attack definition promises better care for women
Leading cardiovascular health groups reclassify overlooked causes and introduce sex-specific diagnostic thresholds Doctors have agreed the world’s first universal definition of a heart attack, paving the way for millions of women to finally receive better treatment after decades of being “deprioritised”. In one of the biggest procedural shake-ups in a generation, the world’s four leading…
The world's leading cardiovascular health organizations have agreed on a new universal definition of a heart attack, promising improved diagnosis and treatment, particularly for women. This significant change in diagnostic criteria aims to address decades of disparities in care that have historically overlooked less common forms of heart attacks, which disproportionately affect women.
The new definition incorporates three types of heart attacks, such as coronary artery spasm, coronary embolism, and spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), which are more prevalent in women and often caused by factors like childbirth, exercise, or emotional stress. These conditions typically involve reduced blood flow triggered by various reasons, including artery tears or tightening, and are more likely to be missed or not treated as urgently in women compared to men.
Historically, women were given lower priority for treatment due to these less common forms of heart attacks, leading to ineffective therapies and potentially worse outcomes. The new guidelines, which have been adopted globally, will also lower the threshold for diagnosing heart attacks in women based on blood protein levels, making it easier to identify and treat these conditions.
The revisions are expected to significantly enhance patient understanding of their heart attack causes and subsequent care pathways, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for millions of women worldwide.
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