Silent heart threat found in adults under 30 with no known cardiovascular disease
An international study found that silent artery plaque can be present in young adults with no known cardiovascular disease, showing that atherosclerosis may begin earlier than many people expect. The findings suggest standard risk scores may miss some people who already have plaque, though researchers have not yet shown that screening more widely prevents heart attacks or strokes.
Researchers used advanced imaging to assess more than 16,800 adults aged 18 to 70: 57.1% had plaque, including about one in 13 participants aged 18 to 29 and roughly nine in ten aged 60 to 70. Men tended to develop plaque five to ten years earlier than women, while women saw the steepest rise between 40 and 60. The ongoing study will examine whether earlier detection improves prevention; experts advise attention to heart health without assuming plaque means an imminent event.
- Silent artery plaque was found in about one in 13 adults under 30.
- More than half of participants had plaque somewhere in their arteries.
- Wider screening’s effect on preventing heart attacks remains unproven.
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Atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty deposits, called plaque, in the arteries that carry blood around the body. It can develop without obvious symptoms and may narrow arteries over time, increasing the risk of heart problems and strokes.
The study examined adults aged 18 to 70 who had no known cardiovascular disease, using detailed scans to look for plaque. Researchers found it in some people under 30, as well as more often in older age groups; the findings suggest artery changes can start earlier than many people expect.
Doctors often use risk scores based on factors such as age and health to estimate someone’s chance of future heart disease. These scores may not identify everyone who already has plaque, but researchers have not yet established whether screening more people would prevent heart attacks or strokes.
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The case for
Finding plaque in some young adults supports the case for taking cardiovascular risk seriously earlier, since conventional risk scores may miss disease already present. Earlier detection could help identify people who may benefit from tailored prevention before symptoms arise, and the study’s follow-up may clarify who is most likely to benefit.
The case against
Plaque on imaging does not establish that someone will have a heart attack or stroke, and the study has not shown that wider screening improves health outcomes. Screening could bring cost, anxiety and follow-up procedures, so prevention and screening policies should be based on evidence that detection leads to meaningful benefit.