# REACT study on silent atherosclerosis prevalence

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/react-study-on-silent-atherosclerosis-prevalence
> Updated: 2026-08-31T15:10:36.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2.

The REACT international research study, involving participants from Spain and Denmark, has revealed that silent atherosclerosis is significantly more prevalent among healthy, asymptomatic adults than previously estimated. Findings published in The New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress indicate that 57.1% of the 16,808 participants, aged 18 to 70, exhibited arterial plaque despite having no prior cardiovascular diagnosis.

The research shows the condition can manifest in early adulthood, with approximately one in 13 individuals aged 18 to 29 showing signs of atherosclerosis. Prevalence increases with age, affecting roughly 90% of those in the 60 to 70 age bracket. The study also identified sex-based differences, noting that men typically develop atherosclerotic profiles five to ten years earlier than women, though women may experience accelerated progression between ages 40 and 60 during menopause.

Led by Borja Ibáñez of the National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC) and Henning Bundgaard of Rigshospitalet, the study suggests a shift in prevention strategies. Researchers propose moving from traditional risk factor estimation, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, toward direct plaque detection. Experts suggest that simple ultrasound techniques could be utilized for earlier detection to help prevent heart attacks and strokes.

To further validate these findings, the project is expanding its research efforts through new collaborations with India, Singapore, Tanzania, and Mexico.

## Claims

- 57.1% of the 16,808 participants in the REACT study presented with arterial plaque despite being asymptomatic. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Approximately one in thirteen adults between the ages of 18 and 29 already exhibit signs of atherosclerosis. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The prevalence of atherosclerosis increases with age, affecting nine out of ten people in the 60 to 70 age group. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Borja Ibáñez advocates for a paradigm shift in prevention to detect the disease directly before it leads to a heart attack or stroke. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The research was presented during a special session of the European Society of Cardiology Congress (ESC 2026). (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Men tend to develop atherosclerosis five to ten years earlier than women. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- In women, the progression of the disease accelerates significantly between the ages of 40 and 60, coinciding with menopause. (corroborated by 7 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: REACT study reveals high prevalence of silent atherosclerosis in young adults

The international REACT study reveals that 57.1% of asymptomatic adults have arterial plaque, with atherosclerosis affecting 1 in 13 young adults (18-29) and 9 in 10 people aged 60-70.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/react-study-finds-atherosclerosis-affects-57-of-healthy-adults

### 2026-08-29: REACT study finds silent atherosclerosis in 57% of healthy adults

The REACT study reveals that 57.1% of apparently healthy adults in Spain and Denmark have silent atherosclerosis, with one in 13 young adults aged 18-29 already showing signs of the condition.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/atherosclerosis-found-in-57-of-healthy-young-adults-in-new-study

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Cite as: REACT study on silent atherosclerosis prevalence. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/react-study-on-silent-atherosclerosis-prevalence