New Heart Attack Definitions Could Lead to Better Care for Women
Uncommon heart attack causes disproportionately affect them The post New Heart Attack Definitions Could Lead to Better Care for Women appeared first on Nautilus .
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in America, often misdiagnosed due to less pronounced symptoms than in men. Four major heart health organizations, including the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, have agreed to redefine myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) to improve care for women.
Previously, the universal definition relied on a numerical system, leading to inconsistencies. The new classification separates heart attacks into primary, secondary, and procedure-related categories. Primary MI, the traditional heart attack, is now defined by three less common triggers that disproportionately affect women: spontaneous coronary artery dissection, coronary artery spasm, and coronary embolism.
These conditions will be given a more serious designation, requiring additional investigations such as angiograms to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. This change aims to prevent unnecessary invasive procedures and ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment for women worldwide.
Written by urgent.news from Nautilus's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
