Why Are Young Women Having Heart Attacks? Mayo Clinic Study Reveals Startling Findings

Last Updated:September 16, 2025, 15:55 IST

A Mayo Clinic study reveals over 50% of heart attacks in women under 65 aren’t caused by blocked arteries but by lesser-known conditions — and the real causes might surprise you

A Mayo Clinic study finds that over 50% of heart attacks in women under 65 are due to conditions like SCAD, coronary embolism, infections, and anaemia, not blocked arteries. (News18)

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant rise in heart attack cases, not only among older individuals but also alarmingly in younger adults as well. While it’s commonly believed that heart attacks are primarily caused by artery blockages due to fat or high cholesterol, new research suggests this may not always be the case, especially for women under 65.

A recent 15-year study by the Mayo Clinic has uncovered that over 50% of heart attacks in women below the age of 65 are not caused by blocked arteries. Instead, they’re often the result of lesser-known or overlooked conditions such as:

• Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)
• Coronary embolism
• Severe infections
• Anaemia

What Is SCAD?

SCAD is a condition where the inner wall of a heart artery suddenly tears or ruptures, disrupting blood flow to the heart. This reduces oxygen supply and can lead to a heart attack. Shockingly, SCAD typically affects otherwise healthy women who do not display traditional heart disease risk factors.

According to the study, SCAD is frequently misdiagnosed as a standard heart attack caused by plaque buildup, leading to potentially inappropriate treatment.

Additionally, factors such as hormonal fluctuations, post-pregnancy changes, and genetic predisposition may increase the risk of SCAD and other non-plaque-related heart attacks.

Other Underlying Causes

• Coronary embolism: Occurs when a blood clot or foreign object blocks the heart’s arteries.
• Infections and anaemia: These conditions strain the heart and can trigger heart attacks in vulnerable individuals.

The study also found that heart attacks caused by these non-traditional factors tend to have higher five-year mortality rates.

Why This Matters

In most medical settings, heart attacks are primarily attributed to atherosclerosis — the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. However, this study reveals that young women often experience heart attacks from completely different mechanisms.

If healthcare professionals only look for blocked arteries, conditions like SCAD may be overlooked, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and mistreatment.

The Mayo Clinic researchers recommend that treatment approaches should be tailored to the actual cause of the heart attack, rather than assuming it’s due to plaque buildup. For example, in cases of SCAD, conservative treatment may be more appropriate than inserting a stent.