A recent study indicates that the accumulation of artery-clogging plaque might start earlier than many are aware. Astonishingly, about 1 in 13 adults aged 18 to 29 were found to have silent atherosclerosis—essentially the hardening of the arteries due to plaque—even without any diagnosed cardiovascular disease. This finding emerged from a large international study, which also noted that more than half of the healthy adults examined showed signs of plaque in their arteries.
Researchers from Denmark and Spain conducted advanced imaging on over 16,800 adults aged 18 to 70 who had no known cardiovascular issues. Their findings revealed that 57.1% of participants had plaque, with its occurrence increasing with age—from roughly 1 in 13 individuals under 30 to nearly 9 in 10 participants aged 60 to 70. This research was published in the August issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Atherosclerosis develops as fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances accumulate within the arteries. The concerning part? This process often goes unnoticed for years until it culminates in significant events such as heart attacks or strokes.
Dr. Borja Ibáñez, a cardiologist and director of Spain’s National Center for Cardiovascular Research, expressed that for years, cardiovascular risk assessments relied on factors like age and cholesterol levels. He believes this new study enables a more direct approach to detecting disease before it leads to a heart attack or stroke.
This study is part of the initial phase of an ongoing international project called REACT, aimed at understanding the prevalence of silent artery plaque in adults. Future phases of the study will explore if early detection can enhance heart disease prevention efforts.
Professor Henning Bundgaard from Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen mentioned that preventive strategies have typically been founded on estimated risks, without knowledge of existing disease presence. His statement highlighted that this study could pave the way for detecting atherosclerosis long before any clinical symptoms arise, offering a thorough understanding of how the disease progresses through adulthood.
Interestingly, the study found that men usually develop plaque five to ten years earlier than women, while women mostly saw a sharp rise in plaque buildup between ages 40 and 60. Furthermore, standard cardiovascular risk assessments often missed detecting silent atherosclerosis in a significant number of individuals, suggesting that many may go unnoticed by traditional methods.
The researchers also mentioned that utilizing portable ultrasound technology might one day facilitate earlier identification of hidden plaque, though this needs further investigation in clinical trials.
While the study’s results should encourage proactive heart health management, experts caution against panic. Dr. Sirisha Vadali, a cardiologist at HonorHealth Women’s Heart Health in Arizona, noted that finding plaque doesn’t mean a heart attack is imminent. Instead, it allows for the opportunity to assess a person’s risk factors. She urges that awareness of heart health should start before any symptoms arise.
Vadali emphasized that just because someone feels healthy doesn’t guarantee their arteries are clear of plaque. She also cautioned that the study alone does not confirm that screening everyone will directly avert heart attacks or strokes. Decisions about additional tests should depend on individual risk factors, as she recommended maintaining a healthy lifestyle by avoiding tobacco, exercising, and consuming a nutritious diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish while minimizing saturated fats and sodium.
Researchers are advocating that heart disease prevention measures be initiated early, even prior to the onset of symptoms, to effectively address cardiovascular health.
