Heart Attack Risks Exposed for Chilean Women and Active Adults

Heart attacks can strike even people who exercise regularly. A case of a healthy marathon runner who collapsed during a race revealed arterial plaque that doctors did not expect in such fit individuals. The article stresses that fitness does not guarantee immunity from cardiovascular disease.

In Chile, women face a disproportionate burden. About 30% of heart attacks occur in women, who die at twice the rate of men. Ten Chilean women die each day from heart attacks, making cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death among women in the country. Experts cite delayed recognition of symptoms and a historic bias linking heart disease primarily to men. They emphasize that heart attacks in women often appear after menopause, around ages 55‑60, and that awareness of gender‑specific signs is crucial for timely treatment.