A new study establishes that the MINOCA, also called “myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries”, affects more and more the fairer sex, without being able to explain why.
The human body has not yet revealed all its secrets, far from it. A new study, led by the University of Alberta, has just reminded us. The researchers looked at a mysterious disease which strikes more and more women than men: MINOCA, also called “myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries”.
50% of MINOCA victims were women
Normally, myocardial infarction occurs during prolonged occlusion of one of the coronary arteries (arteries supplying oxygenated blood to the walls of the heart), resulting in destruction of the heart muscle.
After following more than 36,000 patients over 12 years, the scientists found that this new category of heart attack had affected 6% of them, and that these victims of MINOCA were twice as likely to be women. They also found that one year after having a myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries, 5% of the patients had another heart attack, often fatal.
“Historically, MINOCA has been considered a benign condition, and patients are often sent home without any treatment or lifestyle advice,” says cardiologist Kevin Bainey. But not only have we found that the prognosis is poor. worsens over time, but it was found that after five years, 11% of patients who had MINOCA were likely to die or have a second heart attack, compared to 16% of heart patients whose arteries were damaged. blocked, ”he analyzes.
Appropriate drugs
Researchers don’t know why women are more affected than men.
Their study, published inInternational Journal of Cardiology, also shows that only 40% of patients with MINOCA receive appropriate drugs – for example, cholesterol-lowering drugs – that could reduce the risk of a second heart attack and / or death. Doctors should also encourage people to eat healthier foods and exercise.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in industrialized countries. In France, 120,000 people suffer from a myocardial infarction each year: 10% die in the hours that follow and around 15% in the year that follows.
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