Heart Disease Prevention

Written By: Melissa, EFDA [May 13, 2026]

Heart disease often develops silently – many people don’t realize they have arterial damage until it’s too late. In fact, about 50% of men & nearly 70% of women who die suddenly from coronary artery disease had no prior symptoms. What’s more surprising? In up to 99% of cases, plaque does not block blood flow – so traditional stress tests can miss it entirely. The American Heart Association emphasizes the importance of early detection & prevention – recommending that everyone should start screening for high blood pressure & high cholesterol at age 20.

A simple, safe ultrasound of the neck can detect hidden plaque early – before it turns into something serious. This ultrasound can detect carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), which is strongly linked to increased risk for heart attacks, stroked & dementia. Prevention starts by looking in the right places!

As your dental health professionals, we are also advocates for the health of your entire body. There are often signs within the oral cavity that can help us identify concerns in other areas of your body. Thank you for your trust in our care!

[Edited by: Carly Peterschmidt, DMD]

Sources
Bale, B., Doneen, A., & Cool, L. C. (2022). Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain: The Personalized Path
to Protect Your Memory, Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes, and Avoid Chronic Illness. Little,
Brown Spark.