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As part of the study, a team from the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) in Madrid, analysed the progression of atherosclerosis in more than 4,000 people aged between 40 and 54 with no history of heart disease.

It found that systemic inflammation triggered in individuals with a high amount of atherosclerotic plaques may be a key factor in accelerating their epigenetic ageing.

A person's epigenetic age represents an individual's degree of ageing based on patterns of their DNA.

Blood clot, illustration© Getty

It could be older or younger than their chronological age.

In a release, Doctor Valentín Fuster, general director of CNIC, said the findings prove the importance of preventing atherosclerosis.

He said: "These results underline the benefits of reducing inflammation by adopting a healthy lifestyle or taking specific medication, such as cholesterol-lowering statins.

"The follow-up of this cohort constitutes one of the most important cardiovascular prevention studies in the world."

Above close-up view of bacon sizzling in frying pan© Getty

According to the NHS, your likelihood of developing atherosclerosis is linked to a number of factors including:

Therefore, to lower your risk the health body recommends you: 

More specifically when it comes to diet you should avoid eating too many foods high in saturated fats such as butter, cakes, fatty and processed meat and cheese.

If not treated, atherosclerosis can also raise your risk for heart attacks, strokes and heart disease.

However, the study did suggest that the relevant changes to DNA can be reversed, offering the possibility of slowing down the process of epigenetic ageing.

Study author Dr Enrique Lara Pezzi commented: "Changes in DNA methylation are reversible, opening up the possibility of 'slowing down' our epigenetic ageing."