Arterial Health 

Subclinical atherosclerosis – the real “silent killer” 

Atherosclerotic plaque formation is a chronic progressive degenerative disease of the arteries, which can lead to clinical manifestations. Depending on exposure to risk factors such as diabetes, obesity and genetics, most of this process occurs without our knowledge, potentially even in infancy. This part of the disease is known as subclinical atherosclerosis.

The hallmark of subclinical atherosclerosis is considered to be endothelial dysfunction. It is the earliest clinically detectable phase of subclinical atherosclerosis and a proven predictor of cardiovascular disease. The scientific evidence linking endothelial dysfunction and CVD is so compelling that some scientists consider endothelial dysfunction to be the actual disease. If this clinical manifestation is left unchecked, the result is atherosclerotic plaque formation.

There are several clinical tests to assess subclinical atherosclerosis. However, the majority of these tests tend to target the advanced stages of atherosclerotic disease, as they assess anatomical or physiological evidence of the damage already caused to the vasculature. The greatest preventive benefit is from assessing endothelial function. But if it goes unnoticed, subclinical atherosclerosis gives way to the overt signs and symptoms of atherosclerotic plaque.