A new study has found that silent atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries harden and narrow without noticeable symptoms, is present in roughly one in every 13 people between the ages of 18 and 29. The findings come from the React study, as reported by iSanidad.
Atherosclerosis is a major underlying cause of most heart attacks, according to the reporting. The condition develops quietly over time, with plaque building up in the arteries long before any symptoms emerge. The study’s results indicate that this process is already underway in a significant share of young adults, challenging the assumption that such damage is primarily a concern for older populations.
The iSanidad report highlights that the condition is more common than previously believed. Additional coverage from outlets like El País and El Mundo, referenced in the summary, echoes this point, noting that the disease accumulates silently in arteries starting in youth. La Vanguardia, meanwhile, reported that more than half of Spanish adults have arterial damage without being aware of it, a statistic that underscores the broader scale of the issue.
The React study’s focus on the 18-to-29 age group is notable because it suggests that cardiovascular risk begins accumulating much earlier in life than many might expect. The findings point to a need for earlier screening and preventive measures, even among those who feel healthy and have no symptoms.
Watch for follow-up research on whether early detection in this age group can lead to interventions that slow or reverse the progression of atherosclerosis before it becomes a serious health threat.
