Study examines heart disease among young women

Baltimore – Women younger than 55 are less likely than men to have a heart attack. However, when they do, they usually are in worse mental and physical health, according to a study from the Yale School of Medicine.

Researchers surveyed 2,990 people 18-55 years old from an international study of heart attack patients. When asked about their health before and after a heart attack, women were more likely to report having physical limitations before their heart attack as well as other conditions, including diabetes, obesity, stroke, renal failure and depression, a press release from the American Heart Association states.

Researchers said the findings suggest women had worse heart disease than men, and better methods are needed to recognize and treat the condition before a heart attack occurs.

The study was presented in May at AHA’s Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2013.