Fact : In fact, atherosclerosis starts quite early in life, in the early twenties, and progresses at a variable pace depending upon the presence of and control of various risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, blood cholesterol, stress, smoking/tobacco, etc. If these risk factors are uncontrolled, atherosclerosis can rapidly progress within a few weeks and can even lead to premature plaque rupture, blood clot formation and heart attack. Conversely, if the risk factors are well controlled, the process can remain steady for years or even reverse by up to 10 to 25%. |