Nearly 60% of adults may have atherosclerosis without knowing it, according to a study of more than 16,800 people.

A recent study indicates that more than half of apparently healthy young adults possess silent atherosclerosis, a condition that develops long before clinical symptoms emerge. The findings suggest that this arterial disease is significantly more prevalent among asymptomatic populations than previously estimated, with some data points placing the figure near 60 percent.

As a primary driver of cardiovascular disease, the presence of silent atherosclerosis in younger, asymptomatic individuals highlights the early onset of arterial damage. These results underscore the importance of early detection, as the condition often progresses without warning until more severe cardiovascular events occur.