Story perspectives

Study Reveals Women's Heart Attack Risk Underestimated

2/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

A Harvard Medical School study of 4,267 participants finds women face a higher heart attack risk at lower plaque levels, rising at 20% plaque burden for women versus 28% for men.
Despite less overall plaque, women experience similar rates of major adverse cardiovascular events, or MACE, as men.
The findings suggest current risk assessments may underestimate women's cardiovascular risk.
The study emphasizes the need for sex-specific evaluations in cardiac health.

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Story summary

A Harvard Medical School study of 4,267 participants finds women face a higher heart attack risk at lower plaque levels, rising at 20% plaque burden for women versus 28% for men.
Despite less overall plaque, women experience similar rates of major adverse cardiovascular events, or MACE, as men.
The findings suggest current risk assessments may underestimate women's cardiovascular risk.
The study emphasizes the need for sex-specific evaluations in cardiac health.