Atherosclerosis: diet and drugs

Meer over het boek

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in most industrialized countries, primarily due to atherosclerosis and its complications, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease. Despite awareness of modifiable risk factors like smoking, unhealthy diets, and inactivity, and the implementation of population-wide prevention programs, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality persist at high levels. Effective anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering therapies can reduce cardiovascular risks by about 30% in secondary and tertiary prevention, yet these issues are exacerbated by increasing life expectancy and a growing elderly population, particularly in Europe and North America. The World Health Organization warns that the rise of Western dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles is leading to higher rates of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, making cardiovascular diseases the leading cause of death globally. This volume of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology focuses on atherosclerosis, offering insights into its pathogenesis, established treatment and prevention strategies, and future directions for new therapeutic approaches.