Bad” metabolism may explain why people who have never smoked and do not have High cholesterol levels suffer from a potentially lethal build-up of plaque in the arteries, according to a new study.

The plaque build-up, or Atherosclerosis, is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases and increases the risk that a person will suffer a Stroke or Heart attack.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri found that abnormal metabolism in the walls of the arteries can lead to Atherosclerosis.

“For years, we’ve heard people say ‘bad metabolism runs in my family,’” said Clay Semenkovich, who headed the research team.

“Our study suggests ‘bad’ metabolism does lead to inflammation in blood vessel walls and can contribute to Heart attacks and strokes,” he added.

The scientists, who reported their findings in the journal Nature, made the discovery while studying genetically engineered mice.

“If abnormal cellular metabolism can cause atherosclerosis, then perhaps modifying that metabolism can treat or prevent it,” Semenkovich said in a statement.

“We’re very interested in the potential for nutritionally modifying these processes with specific fats,” he added.

The scientists believe a deficiency in essential fatty acids that are required in the human diet may contribute to changes in metabolism in the wall of blood vessels.

Fish, shellfish, soya oil, pumpkin seeds, leafy vegetables and walnuts are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

“It would be interesting to figure out how to take essential fatty acids, get them into the vessel wall and see if you could treat atherosclerosis that way,” said Semenkovich.

He and his team are now studying modifications in the diet of mice to see if the changes increase essential fatty acids in blood vessels.