Heart attacks happen when the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked. Without blood, the heart muscle can be damaged and start to die. If a large portion of the heart is affected, it can stop beating, which is called cardiac arrest, and that can be fatal. When we look at the causes of heart attacks in women, research shows they often differ from what we see in men.
When most people think of a heart attack, they imagine clogged arteries full of plaque. But research from the Mayo Clinic shows that for women under 65, more than half of heart attacks are caused by something else entirely.
At Kairos Care in Texas, our functional medicine approach focuses on these hidden causes because understanding them can help you protect your heart.
In this article, we will explain what these lesser-known triggers are and what they actually mean for your health.
What the Latest Study Revealed About Heart Attacks in Younger Adults?
This Mayo Clinic study looked at 1,474 heart attacks over 15 years using data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project.
This study showed a big difference between men and women.
- In men, about 75% of heart attacks were from plaque buildup.
- But in women, especially under 65, the cause was completely different, not the classic plaque buildup we usually hear about.
This matters because it shows women’s heart disease doesn’t always fit the standard script of a heart attack. Most cases weren’t random, and fewer than 3% were truly unexplained once doctors looked at them closely.
For doctors and patients, this is a reminder that heart attacks in younger adults, especially women, can have hidden causes that need to be identified and treated differently.
Let’s look at the hidden causes of heart attack in women:
1. Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
One of the main causes was how often SCAD showed up in women’s heart attacks. SCAD happens when a small tear forms in the wall of a heart artery, which blocks blood flow.
It’s almost six times more common in women than men and often affects women in their 40s or 50s. Sometimes it can happen even during or right after pregnancy.
SCAD doesn’t look like a clogged artery on a scan. That is why it is often missed. Because of this misdiagnosis, women are even given stents, which can make things worse.
That’s why if you’re under 65 and have symptoms like chest pain, jaw pain, hand pain, or shortness of breath, SCAD needs to be on your doctor’s radar.
2. Blood Clots and Embolisms
Another hidden cause the Mayo Clinic study uncovered is embolism. It occurs when a blood clot or other particle suddenly blocks a heart artery.
Unlike slow plaque buildup, this can happen suddenly. Sometimes, in people with no warning or history of heart disease.
Its symptoms can feel similar to a classic heart attack, like:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Pain spreading to the arm or jaw
But the cause is different. You may be more at risk if you have an irregular heart rhythm like atrial fibrillation, an autoimmune condition, or any blood-clotting disorder.
In the ER, these heart attacks can look just like plaque-related ones. But for this disease, you need a different treatment. Instead of just lowering cholesterol, your doctor needs to address the clotting. That’s why getting the right diagnosis is so critical.
At Kairos, we take these possibilities seriously and run deeper testing so you are not left with unanswered questions or the wrong care plan.
3. Stressors Like Anemia and Infection
The Mayo Clinic study found that not all heart attacks are caused by clogged arteries. In fact, Stress on the body, such as severe anemia and infections, was the second most common cause of heart attacks and had the highest five-year death rate (about 33%).
So what is happening here? Instead of a blockage, the problem is that the body is already under so much stress that the heart can’t get enough oxygen to function properly. Some examples:
- Anemia: With too few red blood cells, your body can’t carry enough oxygen. The heart has to pump harder and harder until it’s fully exhausted.
- Infections: Fever and inflammation can make blood stickier, which increases clot risk and puts a huge strain on the heart.
- Serious illnesses: Conditions like pneumonia or sepsis shock your system. Even if your arteries look clean in a scan, your heart may still be at risk.
Heart health is more than just about cholesterol or blood pressure. Your overall health, from anemia to infection, plays a big role in preventing heart disease.
This means your doctor should look beyond the classic risk factors when someone has chest pain. A patient with an infection or low blood counts might still be in real danger, even if their arteries don’t show any blockages.
Why Women Are Often Misdiagnosed?
When women show up with heart symptoms, they are usually told that it is just stress or even indigestion, especially if they are younger or look healthy on the outside.
Studies show women usually wait longer than men for important ER tests like an ECG or troponin blood work. That delay can be dangerous for your health.
Another challenge is that women’s bodies don’t always show heart attacks in the classic way. Hormonal changes during pregnancy or around menopause can change how symptoms appear, but doctors don’t always think of that first.
Here’s how women’s heart attacks look different:
- Chest pressure instead of sharp, crushing chest pain.
- Shortness of breath or dizziness that may not seem urgent.
- Pain in the jaw, neck, or back rather than the chest.
- Subtle warning signs like poor sleep, unusual exhaustion, or palpitations in the weeks before an attack.
The issue is that many heart attacks in women come from causes like artery tears (SCAD), blood clots, or illness-related stress, not just plaque buildup.
That is why many women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, which delays life-saving treatment.
What to Do if You Suspect a Heart Problem?
The study makes it clear that women’s heart health needs a more personal approach. Following are steps every woman can take:
- Don’t ignore subtle symptoms. Chest pressure, shortness of breath, or jaw pain may point to your heart.
- Trust your gut. If something feels off with your chest, breathing, or energy, don’t ignore it.
- Speak up in the ER. Say: “Can you rule out a heart attack?” so it is taken seriously.
- Push for testing. Ask for an ECG and a troponin blood test, even if your symptoms look mild.
- Share your history. If you’re postpartum or in perimenopause, tell your doctor, as it changes risk.
- Be clear. Say: “This feels different from my usual stress or anxiety.”
- Track early signs. Fatigue, sleep trouble, or jaw pain weeks before matter. Share the timeline with your healthcare provider.
- Go back if needed. If you’re discharged but still worried, return. Too many women are sent home too soon.
- Bring backup. Take a friend or family member to advocate if you feel dismissed.
Bottom Line
This challenges the old idea that heart attacks always equal clogged arteries. In reality, conditions like SCAD, blood clots (embolisms), and stress-related health events account for many heart attacks in younger women.
At Kairos, Lola, one of our board-certified nurse practitioners, looks beyond the standard causes and carefully checks for these hidden drivers in women’s heart health.
By combining functional medicine with primary care, we create a plan that may include advanced testing and personalized treatment to protect your heart.
We see patients in Houston, Sugar Land, Richmond, and nearby areas (77046 & 77478) and accept major insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Aetna, Ambetter, Cigna, and more.
New patients are always welcome, and if coming into the clinic isn’t possible, telemedicine appointments are available across Texas.
Book your appointment with Kairos today!
