Heart attack: 5 modifiable risk factors linked to dangerous plaque

A study from Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute examined OCT imaging from 131 patients to assess how cardiovascular risk factors relate to plaque in the coronary arteries. Researchers found that a higher number of modifiable risk factors—such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking—was associated with more vulnerable plaques linked to heart attack risk. The authors noted that the findings are limited to a specific patient group and said larger prospective studies are needed.

Summary generated July 30, 2026. AI summaries can make mistakes.