Coronary Heart Disease Risk (coronary + heart_disease_risk)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The Effects of Nuts on Coronary Heart Disease Risk

NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 4 2001
Penny M. Kris-Etherton Ph.D.
Epidemiologic studies have consistently demonstrated beneficial effects of nut consumption on coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity and mortality in different population groups. Clinical studies have reported total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering effects of heart-healthy diets that contain various nuts or legume peanuts. It is evident that the favorable fatty acid profile of nuts (high in unsaturated fatty acids and low in saturated fatty acids) contributes to cholesterol lowering and, hence, CHD risk reduction. Dietary fiber and other bioactive constituents in nuts may confer additional cardioprotective effects. [source]


Individuals at increased coronary heart disease risk are characterized by an impaired microvascular function in skin

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 7 2003
R. G. IJzerman
Abstract Background To investigate whether microvascular function in skin is a valid model to study the relationships between cardiovascular risk factors and microvascular function, we investigated skin microvascular function in individuals with increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Materials and methods Forty-six healthy White individuals aged 30,70 years were studied. Coronary heart disease risk was assessed with the use of the CHD risk score according to the Framingham Heart Study, which is based on the risk factors age, blood pressure, cigarette smoking, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and diabetes. Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation in skin were evaluated with laser Doppler after iontophoresis of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. Videomicroscopy was used to measure recruitment of skin capillaries after arterial occlusion. Results Coronary heart disease risk score (i.e. the 10-year probability of CHD) varied from 1,37%. Microvascular function decreased with increasing quartiles of CHD risk (for acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation: 687, 585, 420 and 326%, P = 0·002; for nitroprusside-mediated vasodilation: 776, 582, 513 and 366%, P = 0·02; for capillary recruitment: 49·9, 44·6, 27·2 and 26·7%, P = 0·001). These trends were similar in men and women (P for interaction > 0·2) and independent of body mass index. Conclusions Increased CHD risk is associated with an impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and capillary recruitment in skin, suggesting that microvascular function in skin is a valid model to study the relationships between cardiovascular risk factors and microvascular function. [source]


Low-fat diets, triglycerides and coronary heart disease risk

NUTRITION BULLETIN, Issue 1 2000
Helen M. Roche
Summary Nutritionists are currently debating whether low-fat high-carbohydrate diets protect against coronary heart disease (CHD). Traditionally, low-fat diets were prescribed because they reduce plasma and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. However, there is considerable concern because low-fat diets also increase plasma triglyceride (TG) and reduce high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. Recent prospective epidemiological studies have shown that these are independent risk factors for future CHD risk. It has been proposed that the adverse effects of low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets on TG and HDL may counteract or negate the beneficial effect of reducing LDL cholesterol concentrations. Although there is also strong epidemiological evidence that reduced total fat intake is not protective against CHD, high-fat diets predispose to obesity and insulin resistance, both of which adversely affect TG metabolism. This review presents the evidence in relation to the importance of TG as a risk factor for CHD, and explains the pathophysiology that may underlie the aetiological role of TG metabolism in the pathogenesis and progression of CHD. It also addresses the physiological consequences of advocating low-fat high-carbohydrate diets, with particular reference to the effects on lipoprotein metabolism and CHD risk. [source]


Intensified Screening and Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
Nathan D. Wong PhD
The metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by a clustering of risk factors associated with insulin resistance and abdominal obesity, is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease mortality. Persons with MetS have a wide spectrum of coronary heart disease risk and appropriate evaluation of risk using global risk algorithms. Measurement of other risk markers and subclinical disease is potentially needed to best set treatment goals and accompanying treatment regimens. The presence of MetS risk factors should be considered in global risk assessment. Clinical management emphasizes addressing underlying risk factors predisposing to MetS-specifically overweight/obesity and physical inactivity. Further recommendations are given for clinical risk factors, including atherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance/hyperglycemia, prothrombotic state, and proinflammatory state. Clinicians are recommended to assess MetS in their routine practice and to intensify efforts to adequately treat accompanying lifestyle and clinical risk factors. [source]


Assessing coronary heart disease risk with traditional and novel risk factors

CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue S3 2004
Peter W. F. Wilson M.D.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the industrialized world, and a number of well-characterized factors, including advanced age, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and smoking, contribute to cardiovascular risk. Integration of these factors using the Framingham calculation estimates the absolute 10-year risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), which can be used to guide therapy. Recent studies have demonstrated that additional markers, including elevated lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, sitosterol, and particularly C-reactive protein (CRP), are also associated with increased risk for CHD. In particular, high-sensitivity CRP has been shown to identify patients with high CHD risk who may not have elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and may add to the predictive value of the Framing-ham functions for CHD risk assessment. Assessment of global risk is particularly important in lipid management, as the LDL-C target goals are determined by risk category. [source]