Despite increasing evidence that exposure to cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) at an early age increases the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular events later in life, there is a lack of randomized trial evidence to support primary prevention strategies in adults aged 30-50 years. The researchers have designed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether strict control of CVRF in young adults without known cardiovascular disease, will reduce the progression of total atherosclerosis burden, a surrogate endpoint for symptomatic cardiovascular disease, compared with usual care.
The researchers propose a randomized controlled trial enrolling 1,600 healthy young adults who meet the inclusion criteria and who do not meet any exclusion criteria. Eligible study participants will be randomized, in a 1:1 ratio, to either the intervention group (active treatment strategy) or to the control group (guideline-directed medical therapy). Randomization will be stratified by the presence or absence of atherosclerotic plaque in vascular ultrasound.