From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 I51.6
DiseasesDB 28808
MeSH 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 cardi-
ovascular system (as used in MeSH), it is
usually used to refer to those related to ath-
erosclerosis (arterial disease). These condi-
tions have similar causes, mechanisms, and
treatments. In practice, cardiovascular dis-
ease is treated by cardiologists, thoracic sur-
geons, 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 per-
formed 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 can-
cer.[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 ad-
olescence, making primary prevention efforts
necessary from childhood.[3][4]
By the time that heart problems are detec-
ted, the underlying cause (atherosclerosis) is
usually quite advanced, having progressed
for decades. There is therefore increased em-
phasis on preventing atherosclerosis by
modifying risk factors, such as healthy eat-
ing, exercise and avoidance of smoking.
Biomarkers
Some biomarkers are thought to offer a more
detailed risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, the clinical value of these
1
Cardiovascular disease
biomarkers is questionable.[5] Currently, bio-
markers 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 C-
reactive protein
• Elevated blood levels of brain natriuretic
peptide (also known as B-type) (BNP) [6]
Awareness
Despite the success of the Dean Ornish stud-
ies 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 condi-
tions, Cardiovascular disease is treatable and
reversible, even after a long history of dis-
ease. 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 demon-
strated that intimal lesions appear in all the
aortas and more than half of the right coron-
ary arteries of youths aged 7–9 years.
However, most adolescents are more con-
cerned about other risks such as HIV, acci-
dents, and cancer than cardiovascular
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
disease.[12] This is extremely important con-
sidering that 1 in 3 people will die from com-
plications attributable to atherosclerosis. In
order to stem the tide of cardiovascular dis-
ease, primary prevention is needed. Primary
prevention starts with education and aware-
ness that cardiovascular disease poses the
greatest threat and measures to prevent or
reverse this disease must be taken.
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 dif-
ferent 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 ap-
propriate measures.
• [1]
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 hall-
marks atherosclerosis and its possible inter-
ventions. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an in-
flammatory marker that may be present in in-
creased levels in the blood in patients at risk
for cardiovascular disease. Its exact role in
predicting disease is the subject of debate.
2
Cardiovascular disease
Some areas currently being researched in-
clude possible links between infection with
Chlamydophila pneumoniae and coronary
artery disease. The Chlamydia link has be-
come less plausible with the absence of im-
provement after antibiotic use.[13]
See also
• Oral hygiene
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
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Cardiovascular disease

cardiovascular events and death". N Engl J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 13 (5):

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
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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Categories: Cardiovascular diseases, Medical conditions related to obesity

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