Italian Study Reveals Alarming Heart Disease Risks Unique to Women

A new Italian study is examining acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in women to better understand their unique risks and treatment needs. The GEDI-ACS registry, launched across multiple cardiovascular centres, aims to gather detailed data on female ACS patients. This comes as ischaemic heart disease remains the world's leading cause of death, with ACS being its most common clinical form.

The registry has begun enrolling 100 consecutive female ACS patients from prominent Italian hospitals. Early findings from 68 participants reveal an average age of 68, with 7.4% identifying as non-Caucasian. Chest pain was the primary symptom in 88.2% of cases, while 86% experienced ACS as their first cardiovascular event.

The study also highlights concerning trends in risk factors. Over 80% of the women had dyslipidaemia, 77.9% suffered from hypertension, and half had a history of smoking. Reproductive health issues were common, with 32.3% reporting miscarriages and 16.2% experiencing premature menopause.

Beyond clinical data, the registry explores socioeconomic, psychosocial, and biological factors to develop tailored diagnostic and treatment approaches. Notably, 85.3% of participants showed low health literacy, pointing to challenges in patient education and self-care. The research does not currently focus on specific biomarkers for MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries) in women.

The GEDI-ACS findings underscore persistent sex disparities in ACS outcomes, with women facing higher mortality risks than men. By combining medical, social, and behavioural data, the registry seeks to improve prevention and care strategies. The results may help address gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and patient support for women with heart disease.