New research highlights sex-specific cardiovascular risks and underscores the urgent need for tailored screening and prevention for women, especially Latinas.
A recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging on February 23, 2026, shows that women face serious heart attack and chest pain risks even with smaller amounts of artery-clogging plaque than men. Researchers emphasize that women’s smaller coronary arteries mean that less-dense plaque can trigger rapid and severe cardiovascular events.
“For women, a plaque volume considered low in men may already be dangerous,” explained Dr. Angela Rodriguez, a cardiologist at the American Heart Association (heart.org). “This challenges longstanding assumptions that risk scales the same for men and women.”
Key Findings Highlight Sex Differences
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Lower Plaque, High Risk: Women’s likelihood of heart attack, hospitalization, and adverse cardiac events rises at plaque levels that would be considered moderate in men.
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Rapid Progression After Menopause: Risk escalates sharply in women during post-menopausal years, a trend linked to hormonal changes and vascular aging.
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Size Matters: Coronary artery diameter in women is typically smaller than men, meaning even modest plaque accumulation can obstruct blood flow more significantly.
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Guideline Gaps: Current diagnostic tools and screening thresholds largely derive from male populations, potentially underestimating women’s true cardiovascular risk.
The study analyzed imaging data from thousands of patients, focusing on coronary artery calcium scores and plaque volume measurements. The findings underscore the urgent need for sex-specific heart health guidelines, particularly for women with family histories of cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Rodriguez added, “Healthcare providers should not rely solely on plaque volume. Women’s symptoms—such as subtle chest discomfort, fatigue, or shortness of breath—should be taken seriously even when imaging shows only moderate plaque.”
Implications for Latino Women
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among Latinas in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cultural factors, healthcare access, and higher rates of diabetes and obesity increase risks further. Early detection through tailored screenings and awareness of sex-specific symptoms could save lives in this community.
This research reinforces that “less plaque does not mean less risk” for women. Medical experts advocate for broader awareness, lifestyle interventions, and individualized care that account for sex differences in cardiovascular physiology.
“Understanding women’s unique heart risk is essential,” Dr. Rodriguez concluded. “We can prevent heart attacks with early detection and proactive treatment, but only if we acknowledge these differences.”
Latinos and Heart Attacks: Lower Death Rates, Persistent Risks, and Unequal Care
