Atherosclerosis News and Research

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Atherosclerosis is the progressive buildup of plaque - the fatty deposits and other cells - in the inner walls of the arteries. The condition is a consequence of elevated cholesterol and for many it's a silent disease, with no visible signs or symptoms. The disease can begin in early adulthood and continues to progress for the rest of a person's life. Despite the serious nature of atherosclerosis, many people do not understand how it develops and progresses.

Coronary artery calcium score could help predict overall health and all-cause mortality

In a new study of more than 40,000 patients, researchers at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City have found that patients who have no evidence of calcium in their coronary arteries are not only significantly less likely to die from heart conditions – including heart attacks and heart failure– but also are at reduced risk of death from non-cardiac medical conditions.

10 Nov 2025

GLP-1 drugs calm inflammation beyond diabetes and weight loss

This Journal of Clinical Investigation review describes how glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)–based medicines reduce systemic and tissue inflammation through both weight-dependent and weight-independent mechanisms. It details preclinical and clinical evidence linking GLP-1 receptor activation to cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, neural, and joint anti-inflammatory effects while outlining uncertainties and future research needs.

4 Nov 2025

Are ultra-processed plant foods really worse than meat? Scientists weigh in

A new review challenges assumptions about ultra-processed foods, finding that plant-based versions, such as soymilk, meat analogs, and soft margarines, may lower cholesterol and disease risk compared with unprocessed animal foods when used as replacements.

26 Oct 2025

E2F2 protein identified as potential therapeutic target to prevent metabolic fatty liver disease progression

An international collaborative study has identified the E2F2 protein as a potential new therapeutic target to prevent metabolic fatty liver disease from progressing towards more serious conditions, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

22 Oct 2025

Can strawberries help prevent diabetes? New trial shows promising results in prediabetic adults

Daily consumption of freeze-dried strawberries for 12 weeks improved antioxidant defense, reduced inflammation, and lowered fasting glucose in adults with prediabetes. The randomized crossover trial highlights strawberries’ potential as a simple, food-based strategy to enhance metabolic and vascular health.

21 Oct 2025

Preexisting hyperlipidemia in pregnancy linked to obstetric and early heart risks

Preexisting hyperlipidemia in pregnancy is associated with heightened risks of obstetric complications and early cardiovascular events in the first five-years postpartum, according to a new study being presented at ACC's Cardio-Obstetrics Essentials: Team-Based Management of Cardiovascular Disease and Pregnancy conference.

17 Oct 2025

Study: Hidden fat inside the abdomen and liver may damage arteries

A new study led by researchers at McMaster University reveals that hidden fat deep inside the abdomen and liver may quietly damage arteries, even in people who appear healthy.

17 Oct 2025

Why improving LE8 scores could save young adults from diabetes

Young adults with prediabetes who maintained higher Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) cardiovascular health scores were far less likely to progress to type 2 diabetes over 13 years. Ideal LE8 profiles, particularly healthy weight, blood pressure, physical activity, and sleep, were strongly associated with regression to normal glucose levels.

14 Oct 2025

How shifting antibodies fuel aging and the new therapies aiming to slow it

This review uncovers how aging reshapes immunoglobulins, particularly IgG, IgM, and IgA, driving inflammation, cellular senescence, and tissue degeneration. By dissecting B-cell dysfunction, glycosylation changes, and Fc receptor pathways, it reveals immunoglobulins as both biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in aging.

14 Oct 2025

Blood biomarkers offer hope for early detection of interstitial lung disease

UVA Health lung researchers are developing a promising approach to detecting patients at risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD), an increasingly common condition that is a leading reason for lung transplants.

10 Oct 2025

Exercise beats yoga for improving heart and blood vessel health

Researchers compare the effects of physical exercise and yoga on cardiovascular function.

7 Oct 2025

Antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs show efficacy against steatotic liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is the most common liver disease in the world, affecting about one third of the adult population. This disorder is characterized by the accumulation of fat in liver cells, which has severe liver consequences and is also associated with a high mortality rate from cardiovascular disease.

6 Oct 2025

Inflammation at the heart’s core: What clinicians and families can do now

Chronic low-grade inflammation is a key driver of cardiovascular disease, even when cholesterol is controlled. The ACC’s 2025 Scientific Statement highlights hsCRP as a routine risk marker and outlines lifestyle and pharmacologic anti-inflammatory strategies for prevention and treatment.

30 Sep 2025

Cannabidiol shows promise for obesity and metabolic syndrome

Cannabidiol (CBD) shows promise in regulating appetite, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammation in preclinical models of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, human evidence is still limited, highlighting the need for rigorous trials before clinical use.

29 Sep 2025

Can roselle help fight inflammation? New review suggests strong potential

A new review highlights the anti-inflammatory potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle), synthesizing evidence from 25 studies published between 2019 and 2024. Most findings are from preclinical models, but they point to promising roles in cardiovascular, metabolic, neuroprotective, and anticancer health.

28 Sep 2025

Scientists use blood chemistry to predict disease years before it strikes

Researchers built the largest plasma metabolome-phenome atlas using 274,241 UK Biobank participants, linking over 73,000 metabolite-trait and 52,000 metabolite-disease associations. The study shows metabolic risk scores can predict diseases years before diagnosis, with strong accuracy for diabetes and kidney complications.

22 Sep 2025

UNM researcher develops new model for characterizing different forms of vascular dementia

Vascular dementia - cognitive impairment caused by disease in the brain's small blood vessels - is a widespread problem, but it has not been as thoroughly studied as Alzheimer's disease, in which abnormal plaques and protein tangles are deposited in neural tissue.

19 Sep 2025

Mediterranean diet may protect gums by reducing severe periodontitis

This study reveals that the Mediterranean diet may protect against periodontitis, highlighting its benefits for oral health and inflammation reduction.

18 Sep 2025

Exercise found to reduce artery hardening after weight loss in adults with obesity

Maintaining weight loss with regular exercise rather than the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) liraglutide, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, seems to reduce atherosclerosis development in adults with obesity-a leading underlying cause of cardiovascular disease.

17 Sep 2025

Heart attacks in women under age 65 are caused by factors other than clogged arteries

A new Mayo Clinic study finds that many heart attacks in people under 65 - especially women - are caused by factors other than clogged arteries, challenging long-standing assumptions about how heart attacks occur in younger populations.

15 Sep 2025