Atherosclerosis contributes to more mortality and more serious morbidity than any other disorder in the western world.
Risk Factors
Unchangeable risk factors
- Age
- Male gender Men are at grater risk than are premenopausal women, because of the protective effects of natural estrogens.
- FH of premature CAD Several genetically determined alterations in lipoprotein and cholesterol metabolism have been identified.
Changeable risk factors β life style risk factors:
- Hyperlipidemia βThe presence of HPL is the strongest risk factor for atherosclerosis in persons < 45 years of age. βBoth primary and secondary HPL increase the risk.
- Cigarette smoking
- Hypertension βHigh BP produces mechanical stress on the vessel endothelium. βIt is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis in all age groups and may be as important or more important than HPL > 45 years.
- Diabetes mellitus βDM elevates blood lipid levels and otherwise increases the risk of atherosclerosis.
- Insufficient physical activity
- Stressful lifestyle
- Obesity
Pathogenesis of coronary heart disease (CHD)Z
