ROCHESTER, MN - September 18, 2025 - A new Mayo Clinic study is challenging conventional understanding of heart attack causes, particularly among women under 55. Researchers have identified factors beyond traditional clogged arteries contributing to myocardial infarctions in this demographic, including spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), stress-induced cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome), and underlying genetic predispositions.
For decades, heart attacks have been largely attributed to atherosclerosis – the buildup of plaque in arteries. however, the Mayo Clinic’s findings, published this week, reveal these option causes are substantially more prevalent in younger women experiencing heart attacks than previously recognized.This finding has critical implications for diagnosis, treatment, and preventative care, possibly saving lives by prompting clinicians to consider a broader range of possibilities. The study analyzed data from over 1,500 women hospitalized for heart attacks between 2010 and 2024, revealing that nearly 18% experienced a cause other than atherosclerosis.
SCAD, a tear in a coronary artery wall, accounted for approximately 12% of heart attacks in the study group. This condition frequently enough occurs in or else healthy women, making early detection difficult. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, triggered by intense emotional or physical stress, represented another 6% of cases. Researchers also identified a higher incidence of genetic mutations linked to heart disease in this population.
“We’re seeing a shift in how we understand heart attacks,especially in younger women,” explained Dr. Sharonne Hayes, lead author of the study and a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic. “The traditional risk factors – high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking - don’t always tell the whole story. Recognizing these less common causes is crucial for timely and effective intervention.”
The study emphasizes the need for increased awareness among both healthcare professionals and women themselves regarding the diverse ways a heart attack can manifest. symptoms can differ from the classic chest pain frequently enough associated with atherosclerosis, sometimes presenting as shortness of breath, fatigue, or pain in the back, jaw, or arm. Further research is underway to pinpoint specific genetic markers and refine diagnostic protocols for these atypical heart attack causes.