Current Cardiology Reviews - Volume 2, Issue 3, 2006

There is growing clinical and epidemiological evidence supporting the concept that regular exercise training reduces the incidence of coronary events and increases the chance of survival after myocardial infarction. This protection is achieved through the reduction of many risk factors relating to cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity etc. Moreover, exercise has been found capabl Read More

Matricellular proteins are extracellular matrix proteins that do not play a direct structural role but act contextually modulating cell function and activity. These structurally diverse proteins include Thrombospondin (TSP)-1 and -2, tenascin-C and -X, Osteonectin/SPARC (Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine) and osteopontin (OPN). Matricellular proteins show low level expression in normal adult tissues, but are markedly u Read More

Several inflammatory proteins intervene with endothelium and haemostatic factors leading to plaque formation and rupture. Of these, C-reactive protein (CRP), monocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) and interleukin- 6 (IL-6) promote atherogenesis by inducing monocyte-macrophage activation, foam cell formation, platelet activation, tissue factor expression, release of other procoagulant cytokines or do Read More

Vascular alterations in diabetes cause or contribute to the etiology of microvascular complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. The endothelium controls the vascular smooth muscle tone through the production of vasodilator mediators such as nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and a still-elusive endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Although EDHF is a prominent vasodilator, particularl Read More

Nitric oxide (.NO) regulates mitochondrial oxygen uptake through reversible high-affinity binding to heme and Cu2+ centers of cytochrome oxidase, and sets adaptive responses to changes in blood flow, O2 availability and hypoxia, thyroid disorders, endotoxemia and cold adaptation. Moreover, subcellular traffic of.NO synthases (NOS) participates in the adjustment of mechanical cardiac efficiency. In isolated beating rat hearts,.N Read More

The distressed personality (Type D) is an emerging risk factor in cardiovascular disease (CVD) that incurs a risk on par with left ventricular dysfunction in patients with ischemic heart disease. Type D is defined as the co-occurring tendencies to experience increased negative emotions and to inhibit self-expression in social interactions. Evidence is accumulating that Type D may also be a risk factor for adverse outcome Read More

Despite the recent advances in the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease, more effective measures should be provided for the primary prevention in high-risk individuals. Serious adverse vascular events can be seen in individuals with low risk calculations based on standard cardiovascular risk factors including age, sex, history of smoking, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, diabetes and hyperten Read More

Human epidemiological studies have shown a clear association of adverse intrauterine environment and an increased risk of ischemic heart disease in later adult life. Although adult lifestyle adds to the effects developed during intrauterine life, compelling evidence indicates that the association of ischemic heart disease with adverse intrauterine environment does not reflect confounding variables linked to adult lifestyle. It is sugges Read More