AI Insight
A study of approximately 16,000 apparently healthy adults found that more than half showed signs of atherosclerosis, with arterial plaque already detectable in roughly 1 in 13 individuals between ages 18 and 29. The research demonstrates that direct arterial imaging can identify cardiovascular disease in its early stages, potentially years or decades before clinical symptoms manifest.
Why it matters
Early detection of atherosclerosis in young adults could enable preventive interventions before significant cardiovascular damage occurs. This finding suggests that current screening approaches may miss substantial hidden disease in populations traditionally considered low-risk.
Understand the Science
More than half of 16,000 apparently healthy adults had signs of atherosclerosis, with arterial plaques already detectable in about 1 in 13 people ages 18 to 29. Researchers say directly imaging the arteries could reveal hidden cardiovascular disease years or even decades before symptoms appear.
Source: 1 in 13 adults under 30 already had hidden artery plaque