Early Detection of Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease Prevention

Research indicates that the buildup of artery-clogging plaque may start earlier than many realize. A recent study discovered that about 1 in 13 adults aged 18 to 29 already had silent atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries due to plaque, despite having no known cardiovascular disease. In the study, more than half of all healthy adults showed signs of plaque within their arteries.

Researchers from Denmark and Spain conducted advanced imaging tests on over 16,800 adults aged 18 to 70 without known cardiovascular disease. They found plaque in 57.1% of the participants. The prevalence increased steadily with age, from approximately 1 in 13 adults under 30 to about 9 in 10 adults aged 60 to 70. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, provides substantial data on this issue.

Atherosclerosis results from a gradual buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances inside the arteries. This process often develops silently over years and may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Dr. Borja Ibáñez, a cardiologist and scientific director at Spain’s National Center for Cardiovascular Research, emphasizes that traditionally cardiovascular risk is estimated using age, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. However, the study demonstrates detecting the disease directly before causing harm.

The findings from the first phase of the international REACT study aim to map silent artery plaque prevalence across adulthood. Subsequent research will examine whether early detection can enhance heart disease prevention.

Professor Henning Bundgaard states that REACT illustrates that atherosclerosis can be detected long before symptoms appear and offers a comprehensive view of adult life evolution.

The study also found gender differences, where men develop plaque five to ten years earlier than women, with women experiencing a steep increase between ages 40 and 60.

Researchers concluded that conventional cardiovascular risk scores only detect a minor portion of individuals with silent atherosclerosis, suggesting that some cases may be overlooked with traditional assessments.

Although portable ultrasound might identify hidden plaque earlier, further trials are necessary.

Experts stress that finding plaque doesn’t predict imminent heart attacks, but it offers a chance to address risk factors. Dr. Sirisha Vadali notes that while the study doesn’t imply everyone under 30 needs artery screening, it raises awareness to start heart disease prevention early, even symptom-free.

Vadali advises avoiding tobacco, staying active, and consuming a diet with vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, and fish. Limiting saturated fats and excess sodium can aid heart health.