A Heart Attack Without a Severely Blocked Artery? Why This Matters, Especially for Women
International cardiac organizations have introduced a new, simplified classification system for heart attacks to improve diagnosis and patient communication. The new definition categorizes myocardial infarctions into primary, secondary, and procedure-related settings.
Why it matters
Standardizing medical definitions helps clinicians provide more accurate treatments and improves health outcomes for patients, particularly women who may experience atypical symptoms.
A heart attack may sound like a straightforward medical emergency, but not every myocardial infarction (MI) happens for the same reason. Now, four leading international cardiac organisations have introduced a new, simplified way to classify heart attacks, which doctors say could make diagnosis, treatment and communication with patients clearer. Myocardial infarction, commonly referred to as a heart attack, remains one of the world's major cardiovascular health concerns. It can occur when the heart does not receive enough blood and oxygen, but the underlying cause can vary considerably from one patient to another. The European Society of Cardiology, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and World Heart Federation have jointly developed the Fifth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in