Young women who haven't been through menopause are generally considered to be at very low risk for heart attacks. But a recent study from Connecticut found that women under 50 who are hospitalized for a heart attack are twice as likely to die while still in the hospital than men in the same age group. The younger that women are when they have heart attacks, the greater their risk of dying, compared to men. The risk difference gradually tapers off until risks are about equal at age 76. Factors like medical history and differing treatment methods only account for a fraction of the difference.
Doctors say more research is needed to find out why heart attacks can be so deadly for young women.
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