Atherosclerosis develops slowly and can be difficult to detect.
Many people do not experience symptoms until the disease has become severe, Professor and Senior Consultant Henning Bundgaard from Rigshospitalet told TV 2.
The disease causes deposits to build up in the arteries. This can narrow the blood vessels and ultimately lead to a blood clot in the heart or brain.
Earlier detection needed
Today, doctors assess the risk based on factors including age, sex, smoking, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Also read: How to manage diarrhea at home
However, according to Bundgaard, there is a need to improve the early detection of atherosclerosis.
Researchers are therefore working with handheld ultrasound scanners that can be used to examine the carotid artery in the neck.
In addition, a new study will examine 7,000 younger people with atherosclerosis.
Surprising findings among young people
The new React study is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Also read: If you have sleep apnea and obesity, Zepbound may cut breathing disruptions by 60 percent
According to TV 2, 16,808 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 70 took part. They were examined using methods including ultrasound and CT scans.
As expected, the examinations showed that atherosclerosis becomes more common with age.
However, the most striking finding was among the youngest participants.
Among people aged 18 to 29, around one in 13 already had undetected atherosclerosis. According to Bundgaard, the high prevalence among young people took the researchers by surprise.
Also read: Your parents' lifespan may be linked to your risk of disease
Also read: Living in polluted air may be raising your cancer risk more than most people realize
This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.