NEW YORK, January 29, 2026 – Adolescent males with severe hemophilia show surprisingly early signs of arterial thickening, potentially foreshadowing future heart problems, a new study reveals. Researchers found thes young men had considerably higher measurements of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) – an indicator of plaque buildup – compared to their healthy peers, despite having similar risk factors.
Early Arterial Changes in Hemophilia Patients
The study is the first to demonstrate elevated cIMT in adolescent males with severe hemophilia, suggesting a need for earlier cardiovascular screening.
- Hemophilia, a genetic bleeding disorder, is increasingly linked to cardiovascular disease as life expectancy rises.
- Adolescent males with severe hemophilia exhibit increased arterial thickness, even with comparable traditional risk factors.
- Lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were observed in the hemophilia group.
- The findings suggest cIMT could be a useful tool for early cardiovascular risk assessment in this population.
Hemophilia,caused by a deficiency in clotting factor VIII (hemophilia A) or IX (hemophilia B),has historically been treated with therapies focused on preventing bleeding. Modern treatments, including regular factor infusions and medications like emicizumab, have dramatically improved quality of life and extended lifespans. Though, this increased longevity has brought a new challenge: managing long-term health issues like cardiovascular disease.
“To our knowledge,this is the first study to demonstrate significantly elevated cIMT measurements in adolescent males with severe hemophilia compared to age-and gender-matched healthy controls,despite similar anthropometric and blood pressure profiles,” the authors wrote.
The research team investigated whether subclinical atherosclerosis – the hardening of the arteries – could be detected in adolescence among those with severe hemophilia.They measured cIMT,a noninvasive marker of early vascular changes,and compared the results with a control group of healthy adolescent males.
The study involved 22 adolescent males (ages 10-21 years) with severe hemophilia who were undergoing prophylactic treatment,and 16 age-matched healthy controls. Researchers performed carotid ultrasounds and collected data on height, weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Results showed the hemophilia group had significantly higher right-sided cIMT and lower levels of HDL cholesterol – often referred to as “good” cholesterol. While cIMT measurements were elevated, there were no direct correlations found between cIMT and traditional cardiovascular risk factors within the hemophilia group.
Hemophilia & Heart Health – Historically focused on bleeding prevention, hemophilia treatment now addresses long-term health. Increased lifespans mean managing cardiovascular risks is increasingly critically important for those with the condition.
What causes this early arterial thickening? Researchers suggest that factors beyond traditional risk factors may be at play in hemophilia patients, warranting further investigation.
The authors acknowledge that a larger, multi-center study with a longer follow-up period and more detailed lifestyle and biomarker data would strengthen the findings. “Adolescent males with severe hemophilia demonstrate significantly increased right-sided cIMT compared to age-matched healthy controls, suggesting early vascular remodelling that may precede clinical cardiovascular disease,” they concluded.
This research highlights the importance of considering cardiovascular health even in young people with hemophilia and opens the door for potential early intervention strategies.
Keep reading
