Childhood poverty linked to adult arteriosclerosis

A new study reveals a clear link between children born into low-income families and an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease later in life. The study, conducted at the Swedish Karolinska Institute and involving 15,640 individuals aged between 50 and 64, examined the income levels of participants' families when they were between 10 and 12 years old. It found that those from lower-income households were more likely to have moderate to severe degrees of arteriosclerosis. After adjusting for other factors, the likelihood of developing moderate to severe atherosclerosis was 43% higher among individuals raised in low-income families. This underscores that social and economic conditions during childhood influence cardiovascular health decades later. The findings highlight the importance of viewing heart health as a result of social and economic factors alongside healthy habits, although the exact mechanisms behind this association remain unclear.