Even if middle-aged guys and gals have no obvious heart risks, men and older people are more likely to have hidden artery buildup — and so are those with higher 'bad' cholesterol.

Guys and older people in middle age are more likely to have hidden artery buildup—even if they seem healthy—just like we usually see with heart disease.

Even if your heart looks healthy and you have no major risk factors, higher 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) — even when it's considered 'normal' — is linked to more hidden artery buildup. For every 10-point rise in LDL, the odds go up by about 15%.

Even if you're healthy and don't have typical heart disease risks, having higher 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) might still mean you're more likely to have early signs of artery buildup — and the higher the LDL, the greater the chance.

Even if you're middle-aged and seem healthy with normal cholesterol and no heart disease risks, almost half of people like you might already have early signs of heart disease you can't feel.

Almost everyone has at least one heart disease risk factor before they get sick — like high blood pressure or cholesterol — no matter their age or gender. For women under 60, it's a bit less common, but still very high.