{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.timecybermedia.com/Pages/health/heart health/even-lower-levels-of-artery-clogging-plaque-may-raise-heart-attack-risk-in-women-study"},"headline":"Even Lower Levels of Artery-Clogging Plaque May Raise Heart Attack Risk in Women: Study","description":"New research suggests that even lower levels of artery-clogging plaque could significantly increase heart attack risk in women, highlighting the need for gender-specific cardiovascular screening and prevention.","image":["https://res.cloudinary.com/donttjaap/image/upload/v1772009699/primetime_news/mwc4woorjbx3h1l63yxe.jpg"],"datePublished":"2026-02-25T08:55:00.581Z","dateModified":"2026-02-25T08:55:00.581Z","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lifestyle Desk","url":"https://www.timecybermedia.com"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time Cyber Media","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.timecybermedia.com/logo.png"}},"articleSection":"health","articleBody":"

Even Lower Levels of Artery-Clogging Plaque May Raise Heart Attack Risk in Women: Study

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Emerging research indicates that women may face a higher risk of heart attacks even at lower levels of artery-clogging plaque compared to men, challenging traditional assumptions about cardiovascular thresholds.

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Plaque buildup in the arteries — known medically as atherosclerosis — can restrict blood flow to the heart. While significant blockage has long been considered the main danger, new findings suggest that women may experience serious cardiac events even when plaque levels appear relatively mild.

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Cardiologists say hormonal factors, smaller coronary arteries and differences in plaque composition may partly explain the heightened vulnerability. In many cases, women are more likely to develop diffuse plaque rather than large, obstructive blockages, making detection harder.

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Experts recommend earlier and more comprehensive screening for women, particularly those with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity or a family history of heart disease.

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Symptoms in women can also be subtler — including fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath or jaw pain — rather than classic chest pain.

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The findings reinforce the importance of gender-specific research and personalised heart health strategies to reduce preventable cardiac events among women.