Inflammation is involved in the earliest stages of atherosclerosis

Inflammation plays a crucial role in the earliest stages of atherosclerosis, even before any symptoms or cardiovascular events arise, according to a study led by researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC). Published in the European Heart Journal, the research reveals that systemic inflammation contributes to disease development independently of traditional risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Atherosclerosis is a silent process that starts decades before it becomes clinically apparent, and this new study provides evidence that inflammation is an essential component of its development. By using advanced imaging techniques and analyzing inflammatory biomarkers, the study found that inflammation was associated with greater plaque buildup in arteries, more extensive involvement of different vascular territories, and a higher burden of atherosclerotic plaque.

Dr. Valentín Fuster, co-lead author and CNIC director, explains that incorporating inflammatory biomarkers into cardiovascular risk assessment could improve identification of people at higher risk and personalize prevention strategies. The researchers are now exploring whether targeting inflammation at earlier stages can halt the atherosclerotic process, potentially leading to more effective prevention methods.