Evidence mapPaperPMID 41769671Full record

ArticleJournal of the Saudi Heart Association2025

Saudi Heart Association Position Statement on Early Detection of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Clinical Practice.

Waleed Alhabeeb, Abdulrahaman Almoghairi, Abdulhalim Kinsara, Abdullah T Khoja, Adel Tash, Halia AlShehri, Khalid Al Faraidy, Mohammed A Batais, Mohammed Balghith, Mostafa Alshamiri and 1 more

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Article in Journal of the Saudi Heart Association, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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11 authors.

Waleed AlhabeebDepartment of Cardiac Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrahaman AlmoghairiDepartment of Adult Cardiology, Division of Interventional Cardiology, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulhalim KinsaraDepartment of Adult Cardiology, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah T KhojaFamily and Community Medicine Departments, College of Medicine, Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Adel TashSaudi Health Council, National Heart Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Halia AlShehriDepartment of Adult Cardiology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Khalid Al FaraidyHospital Administration and Cardiac Center, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed A BataisDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed BalghithKing Abdulaziz Cardiac Centre, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mostafa AlshamiriDepartment of Cardiac Sciences, College of Medicine, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Taher HassanDepartment of Interventional Cardiology, Bugshan Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis is the leading underlying cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which remains the primary cause of mortality in Saudi Arabia. Saudi patients experience CVD events nearly a decade earlier than their Western counterparts. Given the limitations of traditional risk assessment tools, there is a growing need to detect subclinical atherosclerosis to refine risk stratification and improve primary prevention strategies, particularly in younger and asymptomatic individuals. Methods: The Saudi Heart Association (SHA) developed this position statement through a structured, multistep process that included a comprehensive literature review and two expert panel meetings. Recommendations were formulated based on current evidence, expert consensus, and consideration of population-specific characteristics and healthcare infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The final recommendations were reviewed by the expert panel to ensure scientific accuracy and relevance to local practice. Results and conclusions: The SHA recommends systematic screening for subclinical atherosclerosis in individuals aged 35 years or older with borderline or intermediate 10-year ASCVD risk (5-20 %). Subclinical atherosclerosis can be assessed using validated non-invasive imaging modalities: coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), carotid ultrasound, or ankle-brachial index (ABI). CAC scoring is the most validated modality, especially in individuals aged ≥40 years, while CCTA offers the advantage of detecting both calcified and non-calcified plaques. Carotid ultrasound can be advantageous in younger adults, and ABI is useful in older adults. Management should be tailored to disease burden: lifestyle modification is advised for individuals with minimal disease, while moderate-to high-intensity statin therapy is recommended in those with mild or moderate to severe subclinical disease. These recommendations aim to support evidence-based integration of subclinical atherosclerosis screening into routine clinical practice, facilitating earlier interventions and reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia.

Indexed as

Cardiovascular diseaseKeywords: Subclinical atherosclerosisPrimary preventionSaudi Arabia

Identifiers

PMID41769671
PMCPMC12948634

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