Atherosclerotic plaques formed during a late and limited time period in life
In a new study performed in humans, researchers from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet have determined the age of atherosclerotic plaques by taking advantage of Carbon-14 (14C) residues in the atmosphere, prevailing after the extensive atomic bomb tests in the 50ties and 60ties. The findings, published in the scientific online journal PLoS ONE, suggest that in most people plaque formation occurs during a relatively short and late time period in life of 3-5 years.The investigators collected carotid plaques during carotid stenosis surgery at the Stockholm South General Hospital (Södersjukhuset).