Health
Heart Attack Risks in Healthy Women Revealed
Health Points
- Women without standard heart disease risk factors can still be at significant risk for cardiovascular events.
- A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) blood test may help identify women who are at risk, even if they appear healthy.
- Statin therapy and lifestyle changes can reduce heart attack and stroke risk for those with high hsCRP levels.
Cardiovascular disease does not just affect men or older adults—it’s a leading health concern among women, including those under 40. Research finds that even women without traditional risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking (“SMuRF-Less”) may still face serious cardiac risks.
This group often goes undiagnosed, as common screening methods may miss hidden threats. Experts now suggest that the hsCRP blood test offers a new way to spot those at risk, thanks to its ability to detect inflammation linked to future heart problems.
“Women who suffer from heart attacks and strokes yet have no standard modifiable risk factors are not identified by the risk equations doctors use in daily practice,”
Paul Ridker, MD, MPH, noted in a release from the Heart and Vascular Institute.
“Yet our data clearly show that apparently healthy women who are inflamed are at substantial lifetime risk. We should be identifying these women in their 40s, at a time when they can initiate preventive care, not wait for the disease to establish itself in their 70s when it is often too late to make a real difference,”
he added.
The study followed over 12,000 women who showed no signs of traditional risk factors but had their hsCRP levels measured. Those with readings above 3 mg/L were found to have a notably higher likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular events over a 30-year period.
According to Mayo Clinic, elevated hsCRP levels indicate inflammation in the body, and keeping these levels in a healthy range can help lower cardiovascular risks.
Additionally, statins have been shown to cut the risk of heart attack or stroke by up to 38 percent in “SMuRF-Less but inflamed” women, supporting both medication and lifestyle as part of preventive care plans.
Women should also be aware of how heart attack symptoms differ. Signs may include discomfort in the upper body, shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness, sweating, and nausea.
It’s never too late—or too early—to protect your heart. Consider regular checkups, know your numbers, and talk to your doctor about whether the hsCRP blood test makes sense for you. Staying on top of your health today can help prevent problems tomorrow.
