Progression of Subclinical Atherosclerosis Identified as Predictor of All-Cause Mortality

A new study offers compelling evidence that tracking the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis—atherosclerotic disease in asymptomatic individuals—can predict the risk of death from any cause. Conducted by researchers at Mount Sinai’s Fuster Heart Hospital and Spain’s Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), the study highlights the significance of early detection and monitoring of atherosclerotic plaque buildup in asymptomatic adults. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), this research emphasizes the role of advanced imaging technologies in assessing cardiovascular health and improving long-term prognoses.

The study, led by Dr. Valentín Fuster, involved 5,716 adults, averaging 69 years old, with no outward symptoms of atherosclerosis. Participants underwent two key imaging tests: vascular ultrasound to visualize carotid plaque buildup and computed tomography (CT) to detect coronary artery calcification. Researchers found that the initial burden of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, as well as the progression of the disease over time, were independently associated with an increased risk of death from any cause, even after accounting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Why It Matters

This research could help reshape how physicians approach cardiovascular disease prevention. The findings suggest that the use of noninvasive imaging tools like vascular ultrasound to monitor subclinical atherosclerosis offers a valuable window into an individual's long-term health risks. Early identification of plaque buildup allows clinicians to better tailor prevention strategies and lifestyle modifications, potentially reducing overall mortality. Given the study’s results, incorporating subclinical atherosclerosis assessment into routine care for at-risk individuals could become a key strategy in preventive cardiology.