This decline has been attributed to improved treatment of cardiovascular disease as well as improved prevention efforts, particularly decreases in smoking, reductions in cholesterol levels and better management of blood pressure, he explained.
"Autopsy studies of U.S. soldiers killed during the Korean War demonstrated that coronary atherosclerosis was anatomically present in three out of four young adults killed in combat," Fonarow said.
"Whether these rates of coronary artery disease in young adults have decreased or not in more recent decades has not been well studied," he added.
This new study shows a very notable decline in the prevalence of coronary artery disease, Fonarow said.
However, he added, "Despite this remarkable progress, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and there are further opportunities to improve prevention efforts and achieve more ideal cardiovascular health."
More information
To learn more about heart disease, visit the American Heart Association.
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