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Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease Classification and external resources ICD-10 DiseasesDB MeSH I51.6 28808 D002318
Cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular diseases refers to the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels (arteries and veins). [1] While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system (as used in MeSH), it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis (arterial disease). These conditions have similar causes, mechanisms, and treatments. In practice, cardiovascular disease is treated by cardiologists, thoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons, neurologists, and interventional radiologists, depending on the organ system that is being treated. There is considerable overlap in the specialties, and it is common for certain procedures to be performed by different types of specialists in the same hospital. Most countries face high and increasing rates of cardiovascular disease. Each year, heart disease kills more Americans than cancer.[2]. It is the number one cause of death and disability in the United States and most European countries (data available through 2005). A large histological study (PDAY) showed vascular injury accumulates from adolescence, making primary prevention efforts necessary from childhood.[3][4] By the time that heart problems are detected, the underlying cause (atherosclerosis) is usually quite advanced, having progressed for decades. There is therefore increased emphasis on preventing atherosclerosis by modifying risk factors, such as healthy eating, exercise and avoidance of smoking.
biomarkers is questionable.[5] Currently, biomarkers which may reflect a higher risk of cardiovascular disease include: • Higher fibrinogen and PAI-1 blood concentrations • Elevated homocysteine, or even upper half of normal • Elevated blood levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine • High inflammation as measured by Creactive protein • Elevated blood levels of brain natriuretic peptide (also known as B-type) (BNP) [6]
Awareness
Despite the success of the Dean Ornish studies in the eighties and nineties, most people and doctors are still unaware of the extensive research showing that stress reduction and diet can prevent, eliminate, and reduce nearly all forms of heart disease. At the same time many people rely on medications (such as aspirin) which may decrease certain risk factors such as heart attacks, but increase others such as hemorrhaging, and in the end often have no impact on long term morbidity.
Treatment
Unlike many other chronic medical conditions, Cardiovascular disease is treatable and reversible, even after a long history of disease. Treatment is primarily focused on diet and stress reduction. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
Starts Young
Population based studies in the youth show that the precursors of heart disease start in adolescence. The process of atherosclerosis evolves over decades, and begins as early as childhood. The Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth Study demonstrated that intimal lesions appear in all the aortas and more than half of the right coronary arteries of youths aged 7–9 years. However, most adolescents are more concerned about other risks such as HIV, accidents, and cancer than cardiovascular
Biomarkers
Some biomarkers are thought to offer a more detailed risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the clinical value of these
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disease.[12] This is extremely important considering that 1 in 3 people will die from complications attributable to atherosclerosis. In order to stem the tide of cardiovascular disease, primary prevention is needed. Primary prevention starts with education and awareness that cardiovascular disease poses the greatest threat and measures to prevent or reverse this disease must be taken.
Cardiovascular disease
Some areas currently being researched include possible links between infection with Chlamydophila pneumoniae and coronary artery disease. The Chlamydia link has become less plausible with the absence of improvement after antibiotic use.[13]
See also
• Oral hygiene
Detection
Platelet and Fibrin complexes can be seen with the technique of dark field microscopy. They are much bigger than red blood cells and easily block capillaries. These complexes are clearly visible in dark field but not in stained bright field samples because the different staining methods disburse them. However, they are not visible in unstained blood smears. This method of early detection allows to identify people at risk and take appropriate measures. • [1]
References
[1] Maton, Anthea (1993). Human Biology and Health. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-981176-1. [2] United States (1999). "Chronic Disease Overview". United States Government. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ overview_text.htm. Retrieved on 2007-02-07. [3] Rainwater DL, McMahan CA, Malcom GT, et al. (Mar 1999). "Lipid and apolipoprotein predictors of atherosclerosis in youth: apolipoprotein concentrations do not materially improve prediction of arterial lesions in PDAY subjects. The PDAY Research Group". Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 19 (3): 753–61. PMID 10073983. http://atvb.ahajournals.org/cgi/ pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10073983. [4] McGill HC, McMahan CA, Zieske AW, et al. (Aug 2000). "Associations of coronary heart disease risk factors with the intermediate lesion of atherosclerosis in youth. The Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) Research Group". Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 20 (8): 1998–2004. PMID 10938023. http://atvb.ahajournals.org/ cgi/ pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10938023. [5] Wang TJ, Gona P, Larson MG, Tofler GH, Levy D, Newton-Cheh C, Jacques PF, Rifai N, Selhub J, Robins SJ, Benjamin EJ, D’Agostino RB, Vasan RS (2006). "Multiple biomarkers for the prediction of first major cardiovascular events and death". N. Engl. J. Med. 355 (25): 2631–9. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa055373. PMID 17182988. [6] Wang TJ, Larson MG, Levy D, et al. (Feb 2004). "Plasma natriuretic peptide alksdjalkdj levels and the risk of
Types of cardiovascular diseases
• • • • • • • • • • Aneurysm Angina Atherosclerosis Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) Cerebrovascular disease Congestive Heart Failure Coronary Artery Disease Myocardial infarction (Heart Attack) Peripheral vascular disease purple dots
Research
The causes, prevention, and/or treatment of all forms of cardiovascular disease are active fields of biomedical research, with hundreds of scientific studies being published on a weekly basis. A fairly recent emphasis is on the link between low-grade inflammation that hallmarks atherosclerosis and its possible interventions. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker that may be present in increased levels in the blood in patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. Its exact role in predicting disease is the subject of debate.
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cardiovascular events and death". N Engl J Med. 350 (7): 655–63. doi:10.1056/ NEJMoa031994. PMID 14960742. [7] McGill HC, McMahan CA, Zieske AW, et al. (Aug 2000). "Associations of coronary heart disease risk factors with the intermediate lesion of atherosclerosis in youth. The Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) Research Group". Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 20 (8): 1998–2004. PMID 10938023. http://atvb.ahajournals.org/ cgi/ pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10938023. [8] Ornish Dean (Jan 1996). Dean Dr. Dean Ornish’s Programme for Reversing Heart Disease Ivy Books. ISBN 0-8041-1038-7. [9] Ornish, Dean, "et al." (Jul 1990). "’Can lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease?’ The Lifestyle Heart Trial.". Lancet 336 (8708): 129-33. [10] Ornish, D., Scherwitz, L. W., Doody, R. S., Kesten, D., McLanahan, S. M., Brown, S. E. "et al." (1983). "Effects of stress management training and dietary changes in treating ischemic heart disease". JAMA 249 (54). [11] Ornish, D., Scherwitz, L. W., Billings, J. H., Brown, S. E., Gould, K. L., Merritt, T. A. "et al." (1998). "Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of coronary heart disease". JAMA (280). [12] Vanhecke TE, Miller WM, Franklin BA, Weber JE, McCullough PA (Oct 2006). "Awareness, knowledge, and perception of heart disease among adolescents". Eur
Cardiovascular disease
J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 13 (5): 718–23. doi:10.1097/ 01.hjr.0000214611.91490.5e. PMID 17001210. [13] Andraws R, Berger JS, Brown DL (Jun 2005). "Effects of antibiotic therapy on outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials". JAMA 293 (21): 2641–7. doi:10.1001/ jama.293.21.2641. PMID 15928286.
External links
Informational • Total Cholesterol Distribution vs. CHD deaths • Drug Class Review on Beta Adrenergic Blockers Sep 2007 • [2] Organizations • Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2006 Update from the American Heart Association • Cardiovascular Disease Foundation • The British Heart Foundation • World Health Organization cardiovascular disease site Public information • HeartFailureMatters.org Informations website for patients, families and care givers with animations, interviews and glossary - Created by the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.
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