Four Major Cardiac Societies Release First Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction
Source Summary
The European Society of Cardiology, American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and World Heart Federation have jointly developed and published the Fifth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction, presented at ESC Congress 2026 on August 30. The new universal definition aims to standardize classification of heart attacks to improve diagnosis and treatment. This marks the first time these four major cardiac societies have created a unified definition of myocardial infarction.
Why it matters
A standardized universal definition enables consistent classification of myocardial infarction types across healthcare systems worldwide, directly supporting improved diagnosis and treatment decisions.
