Research has shown that the risk of suffering a heart attack can be eight times greater if your heart condition is not obvious.
The lack of symptoms could mean that atherosclerosis is not diagnosed in time.
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The development of fatty deposits in the arteries can cause atherosclerosis, which is when blood becomes more restricted and difficult to flow through. NHS.
While many won’t experience symptoms, the condition can raise your chance of suffering a stroke and heart attack.
This study was published in Annals of Internal Medicine The condition of atherosclerosis may be detected early, but it can go undetected for many decades before becoming a serious problem.
Copenhagen, Denmark: Researchers examined over 9,000 individuals aged 40 and older who had not been diagnosed with any type of heart disease.
These were used Computed Tomography Angiography A detailed X-ray was taken of the heart, coronary arteries and brain. It diagnosed 46% of those with subclinical coronary disease.
Subclinical refers to a condition that does not present with definite symptoms.
10% had an obstruction form, the rest were non-obstructive.
Participants were followed up on between one month and nine years after the event. Among them, 71 of them suffered a heart attack while 193 died.
Research concluded that people suffering from obstructive cardiomyopathy were at greater risk for heart attacks than those without it.
Klaus Fuglsang Kofoed (clinical associate professor) was the principal researcher in this study. The Healthline These results demonstrated that heart disease early detection is crucial.
He said that the study was designed to identify subclinical coronary disease early and reduce the chance of heart attacks.
Dr Kofoed stated that she hopes to see more people get a CT scanner to screen for the possibility of cardiovascular disease.
Atherosclerosis symptoms
Atherosclerosis may not affect you.
However, you might also be able to experience:
- chest pain
- Pain in the arms or legs is common, particularly when you exercise
- Feeling short of breath
- Feeling exhausted all the time
- Feeling weak
- Feeling confused
You can reduce your chance of contracting the disease by doing certain things:
Certain things can be done to stop atherosclerosis becoming worse.
According to the NHS, you should:
- Reduce saturated fats and sugar intake and eat a healthier diet
- exercise regularly
- Keep a healthy body weight
- If you are diabetic, keep your blood sugar in check.
- don’t smoke
- You shouldn’t consume more than 14 units alcohol each week
If you’re over 40, you canGet a NHS Health Check for freeThis can detect early signs of stroke and heart disease.
If your chest hurts, if it is intermittent, if you experience pain when you exercise or walk, and if there are any other symptoms, such as pain in the arms or legs, call the NHS 111 immediately.
If you need immediate assistance, dial 999.
- A heart attack could indicate pain in the chest or tightening of your muscles.
- Face dropping to one side, difficulty holding your arms straight, trouble speaking, or cannot keep both hands up – these could all be signs of stroke.
- difficulty breathing – gasping for breath, choking, not able to get any words out
- sudden confusion – unable to think or speak clearly, suddenly do not know where you are