Heart's Hidden Dangers: A New Look at Plaque

A recent study presented at the TCT 2025 Conference in San Francisco has turned some heads in the medical world. It's about heart health, but not in the way you might think.

The Research

The research, part of the international CONFIRM2 Registry, looked at over 6,550 people who had heart scans over four years. Most of them were around 59 years old, and nearly half were men.

The Kicker

The study found that the amount of soft, non-calcified plaque in the arteries is a big deal. Why? Because it can predict who might have a heart attack or even die from heart issues.

People who had heart events had almost five times more of this soft plaque than those who didn't.

That's a huge difference!

The Surprise

Even more surprising, many of these heart events happened in people who didn't have severe blockages in their arteries. This means doctors might be missing some high-risk patients if they only focus on how narrow the arteries are.

The Tech

The study used AI to analyze the heart scans, and it seems like this tech could be a game-changer. By spotting these hidden risks earlier, doctors might be able to step in and help before it's too late. This could change how we think about heart disease and who needs treatment.

The Thought

But here's a thought: if this soft plaque is such a big risk, shouldn't we be doing more to prevent it in the first place? Maybe it's time to focus on lifestyle changes and early detection to keep hearts healthier for longer.