Even Healthy-Looking Adults Can Have Hidden Heart Problems
Normal LDL-Cholesterol Levels Are Associated With Subclinical Atherosclerosis in the Absence of Risk Factors.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Nearly half of middle-aged adults with no conventional cardiovascular risk factors have subclinical atherosclerosis.
It contradicts the common belief that if you don’t smoke, have normal blood pressure, and healthy cholesterol, your heart is fine. This study shows that’s not always true.
Practical Takeaways
Consider checking for subclinical atherosclerosis (e.g., coronary calcium scan) if you're middle-aged, even if your cholesterol and blood pressure are normal.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Nearly half of middle-aged adults with no conventional cardiovascular risk factors have subclinical atherosclerosis.
It contradicts the common belief that if you don’t smoke, have normal blood pressure, and healthy cholesterol, your heart is fine. This study shows that’s not always true.
Practical Takeaways
Consider checking for subclinical atherosclerosis (e.g., coronary calcium scan) if you're middle-aged, even if your cholesterol and blood pressure are normal.
Publication
Journal
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Year
2017
Authors
L. Fernández-Friera, V. Fuster, B. López-Melgar, B. Oliva, J. M. García-Ruíz, J. Mendiguren, H. Bueno, S. Pocock, B. Ibáñez, A. Fernández-Ortiz, J. Sanz
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Claims (5)
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 a middle-aged adult with normal cholesterol and no obvious heart disease risks, there's almost a 50% chance you already have early signs of heart disease, like buildup in your arteries.
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.
Even if your blood sugar isn’t high enough to be diagnosed with a problem, it might still be quietly harming your blood vessels as you get older.
Even if you feel fine, your arteries might start building up plaque when your 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) hits around 50 to 60 mg/dL, and the more LDL you have, the more plaque builds up — steadily and predictably.