Women may face heart events at lower plaque levels than men, study finds

Medical Xpress

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A new study published in *Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging* reveals that women with less artery-clogging plaque in their arteries are not necessarily protected from heart disease compared to men. While women generally have a lower prevalence of arterial plaque, this does not translate into a reduced risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes, according to the research. Previous studies have shown that women tend to accumulate less coronary artery calcium—a marker of plaque buildup—than men. However, this study highlights that the absence of significant plaque in women’s arteries does not mean they are immune to heart disease. Instead, it suggests that other factors may contribute to heart health risks in women, potentially leading to events at lower levels of plaque than seen in men. The findings are particularly significant for understanding sex differences in cardiovascular health. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, and while women often develop heart disease later in life compared to men, they face unique challenges such as different symptom presentation and risk factors. This study underscores the importance of personalized approaches to heart disease prevention and highlights the need for further research into why women with less plaque are still at risk. For readers interested in health, this emphasizes that traditional measures like calcium scoring may not fully capture women’s cardiovascular risks. Women should be aware that heart disease can affect them differently and that lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and inflammation may play a larger role in their heart health than previously understood. Overall, the study challenges long-held assumptions about plaque levels and heart disease risk in women, offering valuable insights for both patients and healthcare providers. It calls for greater attention to non-traditional risk factors and more nuanced strategies for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular events in women.

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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/23/2026