New global definition of heart attack to improve outcomes for women

Australian experts have welcomed a new global definition of heart attack, which they believe will improve diagnosis for women. The updated guidelines categorize coronary events in line with women's more common heart attack types and recommend sex-specific diagnostic blood test thresholds. Although the new guidelines will aid diagnosis, experts acknowledge that some gender treatment disparities remain in cardiac care.

Nadene Hall, a 47-year-old fit and healthy woman, had never heard of a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) heart attack until she experienced one in March 2023. She describes feeling chest pain, clammy skin, and tingling in her left hand before being rushed to the hospital. SCAD, a condition primarily affecting women with few traditional risk factors, can be difficult to diagnose and is sometimes linked to menopause, extreme stress, or childbirth.

The new global definition, published in the European Heart Journal, groups common heart attack types in women, like SCAD, alongside the main type of heart attacks. This change, along with the inclusion of sex-specific troponin ranges for diagnosing heart attacks, will help clinicians better identify and treat women presenting with heart attack symptoms.

However, despite these improvements, experts note that a significant treatment gap still exists for women, as they are less likely to receive optimal treatment and care compared to men.