Early Signs of Heart Disease

Up to 80 percent of 23-year-olds are showing early signs of heart and kidney disease, according to one study.

They are already developing cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM syndrome), and those whose disease was progressing had arterial injuries, a forerunner of atherosclerosis, or artery hardening, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Researchers with the American Heart Association (AHA) analysed data from 1,283 young people with an average age of 23. Nearly 80 percent of them met the criteria for CKM syndrome, which means they already have excessive adiposity (fat buildup), metabolic risk factors or signs of subclinical heart disease.

Prevention is the key, and people of all ages should be following the AHA’s Life’s Essential 8 guidelines, which include healthy eating, good sleep, exercise and keeping to a healthy weight, the researchers say.