Silent heart threat found in adults under 30 with no known cardiovascular disease

Key Points:

• New research reveals that artery-clogging plaque, or silent atherosclerosis, can begin as early as ages 18 to 29, with about 1 in 13 young adults affected despite no known cardiovascular disease.
• The international study of over 16,800 adults found plaque in 57.1% of participants, increasing with age to nearly 90% in those aged 60 to 70, highlighting the silent progression of atherosclerosis.
• Men tend to develop artery plaque 5 to 10 years earlier than women, who experience the most rapid increase between ages 40 and 60, and traditional cardiovascular risk scores may miss many cases of silent plaque.
• Researchers emphasize the potential of advanced imaging and portable ultrasound to detect plaque earlier, but caution that further trials are needed before widespread screening is recommended.
• Experts advise that finding plaque is an opportunity to manage risk factors proactively, but it does not mean an imminent heart attack, and screening decisions should be personalized rather than universal for young adults.