Heart attack deaths rise among younger adults, especially women

New study finds in-hospital mortality increased from 2011 to 2022 for those under 55, with women at higher risk

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A new study found that heart attack deaths increased significantly among adults younger than age 55 between 2011 and 2022, with women more likely than men to die after a first heart attack. The analysis of nearly 1 million hospitalizations showed an absolute 1.2% increase in in-hospital deaths for those with the more severe form of heart attack, known as STEMI. Women had higher rates of in-hospital death compared to men for both STEMI (3.1% vs 2.6%) and the less severe NSTEMI (1% vs less than 1%).

Why it matters

This study challenges the perception that heart attacks are mainly an older person's problem, showing younger adults, especially women, are at real risk. Improving risk assessments and treatment for this population, particularly addressing nontraditional risk factors like low income, kidney disease and non-tobacco drug use, could help reduce these troubling mortality trends.

The details

Researchers analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative database, on nearly 1 million first-time heart attack hospitalizations of adults aged 18-54 from 2011 to 2022. They found that while overall heart attack deaths had plateaued or decreased in recent years, that trend was driven largely by older adults and men. Among the younger population, the number of deaths after first hospitalization for a severe heart attack increased significantly, with women faring worse than men. Women also had higher rates of nontraditional risk factors like low income, kidney disease and non-tobacco drug use compared to men of the same age.

  • The study analyzed data from 2011 to 2022.

The players

Mohan Satish, M.D.

The study's lead author, a clinical cardiovascular disease fellow and T32 postdoctoral fellow at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.

American Heart Association

The organization that published the study in a Go Red for Women spotlight issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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What they’re saying

“U.S. heart attack deaths appeared to have plateaued or decreased, based on observational studies that extended into 2010. However, that decline appears to have been driven largely by older adults and men.”

— Mohan Satish, M.D., Study lead author (Journal of the American Heart Association)

“We often think heart attacks are mainly an older person's problem; however, our findings indicate that younger adults, especially women, are at real risk.”

— Mohan Satish, M.D., Study lead author (Journal of the American Heart Association)

What’s next

Researchers say future studies need to consider how nontraditional risk factors like low income, kidney disease and non-tobacco drug use impact heart attack risk and outcomes, in addition to traditional factors.

The takeaway

This study highlights the need to improve risk assessments and treatment for younger adults, especially women, who are experiencing rising rates of in-hospital mortality from heart attacks. Addressing nontraditional risk factors could be key to reducing these troubling trends.