Are men more likely than women to have a STEMI heart attack without any standard risk factors?
What the Evidence Shows
What we've found so far is that men may be more likely than women to have a STEMI heart attack—this means a major, sudden blockage in a heart artery—without having common risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking. The evidence we've reviewed leans toward this pattern.
Our analysis of the available research shows that in people who’ve never had a heart attack before, about 20% of men and 15% of women who experience a STEMI heart attack don’t have the usual risk factors . This suggests that a higher proportion of men fall into this category, even though both men and women can have heart attacks without clear warning signs.
We looked at 53.0 studies or data points that support this observation, and so far, we’ve found no studies that contradict it . Still, we’re cautious about drawing strong conclusions because the total number of assertions analyzed is very low—just one unique claim across all those studies. That means while the evidence we’ve reviewed points in a certain direction, we don’t yet have a full picture.
It’s also important to clarify that “no standard risk factors” doesn’t mean no risks at all. There may be other biological, genetic, or lifestyle factors not captured by the usual checklist that still play a role. Our current analysis doesn’t explore what those might be.
Because our understanding is still limited, we can’t say for sure how much more likely men are, or why this difference exists. More research would help clarify whether this pattern holds across different groups and what it might mean for prevention.
Practical takeaway: Even if you feel healthy and don’t have high blood pressure, cholesterol, or other common risks, you’re not automatically out of the woods—especially if you’re a man. Pay attention to your body, and don’t ignore symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue.