Cardiovascular or heart diseases, primarily due to the accumulation of fats and cholesterol in the arterial walls known as atherosclerosis, are responsible for one-third of deaths worldwide, making it the top cause of mortality, researchers announced on Thursday.
A team from Denmark’s Rigshospitalet observed that many individuals suffer severe complications from atherosclerosis, such as heart attacks or strokes.
This condition not only significantly impacts the affected individuals but also places a substantial strain on global healthcare systems and societies.
“Atherosclerosis may develop from an early age and often remains ‘silent’, that is, without symptoms, for many years until it suddenly hits, for example with a heart attack,” explained Dr. Henning Bundgaard, Chief Physician and Professor at the Department of Cardiology at Rigshospitalet.
The team, which is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, stated that atherosclerosis risk is typically assessed through factors like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, age, and lifestyle. They are focused on creating methods for early detection and prevention.
“We aim to discover new ways to detect atherosclerosis earlier and in younger individuals during the ‘silent’ phase,” Dr. Bundgaard commented.
In a new study, they aim to include imaging of arteries in the neck and groin and the coronary arteries, as well as genetic analysis and blood tests in a study of 16,000 individuals aged 20–70.
