Summary
A new report highlights that women can still face significant heart disease risk even when they show low levels of arterial plaque. Doctors usually assess cardiovascular risk using calcium scores and plaque measurements, but these tests may underestimate danger in women. Research suggests women can experience heart events at lower plaque levels than men because smaller coronary arteries and hormonal changes after menopause amplify risk. Traditional screening tools often miss women-specific factors such as pregnancy complications and early menopause. Experts stress that relying only on plaque levels can give false reassurance. They recommend broader, personalized heart risk evaluations for women.
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