A comprehensive investigation of atherosclerosis in the 10-25 age group through medico-legal autopsies

Introduction: Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of coronary heart disease (CHD), remains a global health concern with a rising prevalence in young populations, particularly in regions like Kerala, India. Despite advancements in social indicators, Kerala faces an alarming surge in CHD cases among its youth. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries and the aorta among individuals aged 10–25 years, shedding light on etiological factors influencing CHD.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, India, involving medico-legal post-mortem examinations. Sixty-four cases aged 10-25 years were included, with data collected on personal, physical, and lifestyle parameters. Autopsy-based examinations focused on atherosclerosis in coronary arteries and the aorta, utilizing a detailed histopathological classification system.Results: The study revealed a high prevalence of atherosclerosis, with 60.9% of cases exhibiting aortic lesions, and varying percentages observed in coronary arteries. Associations were found between atherosclerosis and age, family history of heart disease leading to death, cigarette smoking, recreational drug use, and personal history of heart disease.Conclusion: This study underscores the concerning prevalence of atherosclerosis among young individuals and emphasizes the need for antiatherogenic preventive measures and targeted awareness programs against cigarette smoking and recreational drug abuse. It calls for novel therapeutic approaches and public health campaigns to promote lifestyle modifications and mitigate atherosclerosis-related early mortality and morbidity. Policy implications include recognizing atherosclerosis as a condition affecting young populations and advocating for comprehensive research approaches with larger sample sizes and genetic studies to identify potential genetic contributions to atherosclerosis development. Limitations include challenges in obtaining accurate lifestyle histories during autopsies and the need for larger, multicenter studies to provide deeper insights into risk factors and age-related trends.