Study finds silent artery plaque in adults under 30 with no known heart disease
A new study suggests atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the arteries, may already be present in some young adults even without a known history of cardiovascular disease.
Recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the study examined 16,808 adults aged 18 to 70 in Denmark and Spain who had no known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
According to the American Heart Association, ASCVD refers to cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis. It includes conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
Researchers used 3D ultrasound to look for plaque in major arteries in the neck and legs, as well as a CT scan to examine the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Among participants aged 18 to 29, atherosclerosis was detected in 8.7% of men and 6.7% of women. Combined, that is roughly one in 13 young adults in the age group.
The researchers described the condition as “silent” because it can develop without symptoms and remain undetected for years before cardiovascular disease becomes apparent.
Across all age groups, 57.1% of participants had detectable atherosclerosis. The prevalence increased with age, with the condition found in about nine in 10 participants aged 60 to 70.
Among younger participants, plaque was usually found in arteries outside the heart and was limited to one area of the body. As participants got older, they tended to have more plaque buildup, which was also more likely to affect multiple arteries.
The study also found differences between men and women. Atherosclerosis became detectable at younger ages in men, while women experienced a steeper increase during midlife, particularly between ages 40 and 60, around the menopausal transition.
However, having detectable atherosclerosis does not mean a person will necessarily have a heart attack or stroke. The study looked at the presence and extent of arterial plaque at the time of imaging, rather than tracking whether participants later experienced cardiovascular events.
The findings came from the first phase of the REACT study, which examines how atherosclerosis develops throughout adulthood. Researchers said the results could support earlier detection and prevention.
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