Early Plaque Buildup in Arteries Detected in Young Adults
Recent research reveals that artery-clogging plaque may begin forming earlier than many realize. A significant study uncovered that about 1 in 13 adults aged 18 to 29 exhibit silent atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries harden due to plaque buildup, despite having no known cardiovascular disease. More than half of healthy adults in the study showed some signs of plaque in their arteries.
Key Study Insights
Researchers from Denmark and Spain used advanced imaging techniques to examine over 16,800 adults aged 18 to 70, all without known cardiovascular diseases. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the study found plaque in 57.1% of participants. The prevalence of plaque rose with age, from about 1 in 13 adults under 30 to 9 in 10 adults aged 60 to 70.
Atherosclerosis involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances in arteries. This usually progresses silently over time, eventually leading to heart attacks or strokes. Dr. Borja Ibáñez, a cardiologist, emphasized the significance of these findings in identifying the disease directly before severe symptoms occur.
Progress and Next Steps
This research marks the initial phase of the ongoing international REACT study, aiming to map the prevalence of silent artery plaque across different ages. The next phase will evaluate if early detection improves heart disease prevention. Professor Henning Bundgaard highlighted that current decision-making relies on risk estimation but not on the physical presence of the disease. The study aims to offer a comprehensive overview of disease progression during adulthood.
Gender Differences and Risk Prediction
The study discovered that men typically develop plaques 5 to 10 years earlier than women, although women see a significant rise in plaque formation between ages 40 and 60. Traditional cardiovascular risk scores identified only a small fraction of those with silent atherosclerosis, indicating potential gaps in traditional assessments.
Portable ultrasound may eventually aid in earlier plaque detection, although more clinical trials are necessary. The findings stress the importance of proactive heart health management early in life, despite the absence of symptoms.
Expert Opinions on Heart Health
Dr. Sirisha Vadali, a cardiologist, remarked that finding plaque does not indicate an immediate heart attack risk, but it provides a chance to manage risk factors. She emphasized addressing heart health before symptoms appear. Feeling healthy may not equate to plaque-free arteries, she noted.
Vadali suggested that artery screening is not essential for everyone under 30. Screening decisions should depend on individual risk factors. She recommended lifestyle habits like avoiding tobacco, maintaining physical activity, and consuming a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and fish coupled with limited saturated fat and sodium to maintain heart health.