Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases

A special issue of Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (ISSN 2308-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Epidemiology, Lifestyle, and Cardiovascular Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025 | Viewed by 15677

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Paralympic Sports, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Witelona 25a, 51-617 Wroclaw, Poland
Interests: general cardiology; electrocardiography; prevention; cardiovascular risk factors; environmental risk factors; sports medicine; sports cardiology; regeneration and recovery methods

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the 21st century, cardiovascular diseases are still the leading causes of premature mortality and morbidity worldwide. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art regarding classical and novel cardiovascular risk factors. The classical factors, which are known from the times of the Framingham study and the INTERHEART and INTERSTROKE studies, account for >90% of the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Based on these results, current strategies for the prevention of coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular diseases focus mainly on reducing body weight, blood LDL cholesterol concentration and blood pressure. However, our knowledge is still growing, and a significant amount of novel data has been gathered. Some classical solutions have been criticized; simultaneously, new concepts arise, including concerns about environmental and occupational factors, pollution and the contamination of food with the preservatives and chemical substances that accompany everyday life. These issues and numerous others regarding mental health, different aspects of physical activity and individual choices, including diet, may contribute to the complex background of the development of cardiovascular diseases.

We kindly invite research papers that will consolidate our understanding in this area. This Special Issue will publish full research articles and systematic reviews. Potential topics include the following research areas:

  • Cardiovascular classical risk factors;
  • Novel cardiovascular risk factors;
  • Environmental cardiovascular risk factors;
  • Occupational cardiovascular risk factors;
  • Prevention of cardiovascular risk factors;
  • Novel trends in cardiovascular risk factors.

It is my pleasure to invite you to submit manuscripts on the topic of “Cardiovascular risk factors—a novel approach” for this Special Issue.

Dr. Małgorzata Poręba
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cardiovascular diseases
  • cardiovascular risk factors
  • smoking
  • hypertension
  • hypercholesterolemia
  • lipids
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • overweight
  • diet
  • occupational factors

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 973 KiB  
Article
Retrospective Study on Short-Term Reverse Cardiac Remodeling in Obese Patients Undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy
by Carmine Izzo, Valeria Visco, Alessandra Cirillo, Davide Bonadies, Giuseppe Caliendo, Maria Rosaria Rusciano, Nicola Virtuoso, Francesco Loria, Alessia Bramanti, Eleonora Venturini, Paola Di Pietro, Vincenzo Pilone, Luigi Schiavo, Albino Carrizzo, Carmine Vecchione and Michele Ciccarelli
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(12), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11120389 - 3 Dec 2024
Viewed by 427
Abstract
Severe obesity is closely associated with an increased risk of comorbidities and alterations in cardiac structure and function. The primary objective of this study was to investigate cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and ventricular remodeling in individuals from an obese population eligible for bariatric [...] Read more.
Severe obesity is closely associated with an increased risk of comorbidities and alterations in cardiac structure and function. The primary objective of this study was to investigate cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and ventricular remodeling in individuals from an obese population eligible for bariatric surgery. The secondary objective was to evaluate changes in anthropometric, clinical laboratory, and echocardiographic measurements 12 weeks after surgery compared to baseline values. This retrospective observational cohort study involved patients from a single specialized bariatric surgery center. A total of 35 patients were included (mean age 41.5 ± 10.3 years; BMI 43.4 ± 6.6 kg/m2), of whom 34.2% had a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD), 5.7% had a prior history of CAD, 8 had essential hypertension, 11.4% had dyslipidemia, 20% were smokers, and 8.6% were former smokers. Approximately 57% of the patients exhibited concentric left ventricular remodeling, and 14% had grade I diastolic dysfunction. At 12 weeks post-surgery, with an average weight loss of 25 kg and a mean BMI reduction of 8.5 kg/m2, 14% of the patients still exhibited concentric left ventricular remodeling, and about 11% had grade I diastolic dysfunction. Bariatric surgery contributes to the improvement of cardiac function and structure over time as a result of significant weight loss. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases)
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12 pages, 738 KiB  
Article
Impact of Baseline Hypoalbuminemia on Long-Term Survival Following Acute Myocardial Infarction According to Body Mass Index
by Alon Shechter, Shani Dahan, Arthur Shiyovich, Harel Gilutz and Ygal Plakht
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(12), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11120378 - 26 Nov 2024
Viewed by 312
Abstract
Serum albumin and body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) have been associated with outcomes following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Aiming to assess whether the mortality risk inflicted by hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL) in this context is influenced by BMI, we conducted a retrospective [...] Read more.
Serum albumin and body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) have been associated with outcomes following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Aiming to assess whether the mortality risk inflicted by hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL) in this context is influenced by BMI, we conducted a retrospective analysis of AMI survivors hospitalized during 2004–2017. Stratified by admission-time albumin level and BMI, eligible cases were evaluated for all-cause mortality up to 10 years after discharge. A total of 6283 individuals (74.1% males, mean age 64.1 ± 13.1 years, 44.3% with ST-elevation MI) were included. Of them, 22.7% had hypoalbuminemia and 1.2%, 41.0%, and 28.6% were underweight (BMI < 18.5), overweight (BMI 25–30), and obese (BMI ≥ 30), respectively. Over a median of 7.9 (IQR, 4.8–10.0) years of follow-up, 42.5% of patients died. Hypoalbuminemia was independently associated with a heightened mortality risk overall (AdjHR = 1.54, 95%CI 1.42–1.67, p < 0.001), accounted for by the normal weight (AdjHR = 1.73, 95%CI 1.50–1.99, p < 0.001), overweight (AdjHR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.35–1.79, p < 0.001), and class 1 obesity (BMI 30–35) (AdjHR = 1.37, 95%CI 1.12–1.68, p = 0.002) subgroups. Upon interaction analysis, the mortality risk imposed by hypoalbuminemia was most pronounced among individuals with normal BMI. In conclusion, hypoalbuminemia constituted a negative prognostic marker for long-term survival in AMI patients with normal or mildly elevated but not reduced or severely increased BMI. Pending further research, addressing hypoalbuminemia based on BMI range may prove beneficial. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases)
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12 pages, 1597 KiB  
Article
Effect of Prior Moderate Aerobic Exercise to Prolonged Sitting on Peripheral and Central Cardiovascular Measures in Young Women
by Abdullah Bandar Alansare, Rawan Tuayes Alotaibi, Ali Mufrih Albarrati, Lee Stoner and Bethany Barone Gibbs
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(10), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11100307 - 3 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1174
Abstract
Background: Prolonged sitting is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined whether moderate aerobic exercise prior to prolonged sitting (EX + SIT) has protective effects on peripheral and central cardiovascular and autonomic measures. Methods: Young women (n = 26; 23.4 [...] Read more.
Background: Prolonged sitting is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined whether moderate aerobic exercise prior to prolonged sitting (EX + SIT) has protective effects on peripheral and central cardiovascular and autonomic measures. Methods: Young women (n = 26; 23.4 ± 4.3 years old; BMI = 23.1 ± 4.3) completed two sessions in random order: (1) EX + SIT, which consisted of 25 min of moderate aerobic exercise followed by a 3 h prolonged sitting bout, and (2) a 3 h prolonged sitting bout only (SIT-only). Seated peripheral and central blood pressure (BP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at baseline and after 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h of sitting. Generalized linear mixed models with random effects examined the effects of conditions (i.e., EX + SIT vs. SIT) on BP, PWV, and HRV while adjusting for baseline values. Results: Only peripheral and central diastolic BP (β = 2.18; p = 0.016 and β = 1.99; p = 0.034, respectively) were significantly lower in the EX + SIT condition compared to the SIT-only condition. No differences were detected in other BP, PWV, or HRV variables between the two conditions (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Performing moderate aerobic exercise in the morning before engaging in prolonged sitting bouts may reduce some of the prolonged-sitting-induced cardiovascular impairments in young women. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in males and middle-aged/older adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases)
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9 pages, 518 KiB  
Article
Cutoff Values of Aldosterone and the Aldosterone–Renin Ratio for Predicting Primary Aldosteronism in Patients with Resistant Hypertension: A Real-Life Study
by João Vicente da Silveira, Carine Sangaleti, Cleber Camacho, Ana Alice Wolf Maciel, Maria Claudia Irigoyen, Thiago Macedo, José Jayme G. De Lima, Luciano F. Drager, Luiz Aparecido Bortolotto, Heno Ferreira Lopes, Madson Q. Almeida, Brent M. Egan and Fernanda Marciano Consolim-Colombo
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(10), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11100299 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 836
Abstract
Primary aldosteronism (PA) is commonly associated with resistant hypertension. Biochemical tests can be clinically useful in the screening and diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. This study aimed to identify the cutoff values of aldosterone levels (A) and the aldosterone–renin ratio (ARR) for an accurate [...] Read more.
Primary aldosteronism (PA) is commonly associated with resistant hypertension. Biochemical tests can be clinically useful in the screening and diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. This study aimed to identify the cutoff values of aldosterone levels (A) and the aldosterone–renin ratio (ARR) for an accurate prediction of PA in patients with apparent resistant hypertension in a real-life scenario. This database-based study included a historical cohort of male and female patients with apparent resistant hypertension, aged 18 years or older and surveyed for PA in a specialized center from 2008 to 2018. Aldosterone and plasma renin activity (PRA) or the plasma renin concentration (PRC) were measured in the treated hypertensive patients. The patients with positive screening results were subsequently referred to the endocrinology department for confirmatory tests. The patients with confirmed PA were included in the case group, and the others remained as controls. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify the cutoff points for aldosterone and the ARR, thereby analyzing their sensitivity and specificity for confirmed PA. Among the 3464 patients (59 ± 13 years old, 41% male) who had apparent resistance hypertension screened, PA was confirmed in 276 individuals (8%). A ≥ 16.95 ng/dL (95% CI: 0.908–0.933) had an odds ratio of 6.24 for PA, while A/PRA ≥ 29.88 (95% CI: 0.942–0.984) or an A/PRC ≥ 2.44 (95% CI: 0.978–0.990) had an odds ratio of 216.17 for PA diagnoses. Our findings suggest that a positive PA screening with aldosterone ≥ 17 ng/dL associated with A/PRA ≥ 29.88 or an A/PRC ratio of ≥2.44 should be sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of PA without confirmatory testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases)
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11 pages, 273 KiB  
Article
Epidemiological Association of Current Smoking Status with Hypertension and Obesity among Adults Including the Elderly in Korea: Multivariate Analysis of a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study Excluding Grades 2–3 Hypertension Cases
by Sung-Eun Park, Seyong Jang, Wi-Young So and Junsu Kim
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(7), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11070212 - 5 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1135
Abstract
Smoking is a major global health issue that contributes to various chronic diseases, while hypertension and obesity are considered significant health concerns due to their associated complications, such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. In this study, we investigated the associations between current [...] Read more.
Smoking is a major global health issue that contributes to various chronic diseases, while hypertension and obesity are considered significant health concerns due to their associated complications, such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. In this study, we investigated the associations between current smoking status, hypertension, and obesity among the Korean population, excluding individuals with high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg) and those taking antihypertensive medications. Data from the 2015 Korea National Fitness Assessment, encompassing 3457 individuals, were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effects of current smoking and other variables on hypertension and obesity. The results showed that, among the population that excludes specific hypertension criteria, current smoking status was not significantly associated with hypertension or obesity. However, sex and body mass index were significantly associated with hypertension, and age, sex, and blood pressure were significantly associated with obesity. Future research should utilize larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs to confirm these findings and include a broader range of hypertensive participants to better control for potential confounding variables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases)

Review

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17 pages, 4974 KiB  
Review
Diagnostic Methods of Atherosclerotic Plaque and the Assessment of Its Prognostic Significance—A Narrative Review
by Paweł Gać, Anna Jakubowska-Martyniuk, Aleksandra Żórawik, Wojciech Hajdusianek, Dawid Żytkowski, Tomasz Matys and Rafał Poręba
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(11), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11110343 - 30 Oct 2024
Viewed by 618
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of death. The most notable cause of CVD is an atherosclerotic plaque. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of different diagnostic methods for atherosclerotic plaque relevant to the assessment of cardiovascular risk. [...] Read more.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of death. The most notable cause of CVD is an atherosclerotic plaque. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of different diagnostic methods for atherosclerotic plaque relevant to the assessment of cardiovascular risk. The methods can be divided into invasive and non-invasive. This review focuses on non-invasive with attention paid to ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, intravascular ultrasonography, and assessment of intima-media complex, coronary computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance. In the review, we discuss a number of Artificial Intelligence technologies that support plaque imaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases)
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15 pages, 1099 KiB  
Review
Myocardial Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR)—An Important Risk Marker for Cardiac Disease
by Claudia Meier, Michel Eisenblätter and Stephan Gielen
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(2), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11020040 - 26 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 7785
Abstract
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has significantly revolutionized the comprehension and diagnosis of cardiac diseases, particularly through the utilization of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging for tissue characterization. LGE enables the visualization of expanded extracellular spaces in conditions such as fibrosis, fibrofatty tissue, or [...] Read more.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has significantly revolutionized the comprehension and diagnosis of cardiac diseases, particularly through the utilization of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging for tissue characterization. LGE enables the visualization of expanded extracellular spaces in conditions such as fibrosis, fibrofatty tissue, or edema. The growing recognition of LGE’s prognostic capacity underscores its importance, evident in the increasing explicit recommendations within guidelines. Notably, the contemporary characterization of cardiomyopathies relies on LGE-based scar assessment by CMR to a large extent. This review describes the pattern and prognostic value of LGE in detail for various cardiac diseases. Despite its merits, establishing LGE as a reliable risk marker encounters challenges. Limitations arise from the fact that not all diseases show LGE, and it should always be analyzed in the context of all CMR sequences and the patient’s medical history. In summary, LGE stands as a robust indicator of adverse outcomes in diverse cardiovascular diseases. Its further integration into routine practice is desirable, necessitating widespread availability and application to accumulate both individual and scientific experience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases)
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Other

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20 pages, 2965 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Relationship between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness as a Potential Marker of Cardiovascular Risk: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis
by Oana-Maria Isailă, Victor Eduard Stoian, Iuliu Fulga, Alin-Ionut Piraianu and Sorin Hostiuc
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(4), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11040098 - 25 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1778
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Thyroid dysfunction is known to have significant consequences on the cardiovascular system. The correlation between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been frequently evaluated in clinical studies in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate the significance [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Thyroid dysfunction is known to have significant consequences on the cardiovascular system. The correlation between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been frequently evaluated in clinical studies in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of this association through a meta-analysis. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, MedLine, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the keywords ‘subclinical hypothyroidism and carotid intima-media thickness’, from the beginning of each database until January 2023. We established the inclusion and exclusion criteria and considered studies that met the inclusion criteria. We used Jamovi for statistical analysis of the data. Results: We identified 39 observational studies that met the inclusion criteria, with 3430 subjects: 1545 SCH and 1885 EU. Compared to euthyroid subjects (EU), subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) had significantly increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) values; the estimated average mean difference was 0.08 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.10), p < 0.01, I2 = 93.82%. After the sensitivity analysis, a total of 19 from the 39 abovementioned studies were analyzed, with most studies showing a positive association between SCH and thickening of the carotid wall; the estimated average mean difference was 0.04 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.07), p = 0.03, I2 = 77.7. In addition, female sex, advanced age, and high cholesterol levels statistically significantly influenced this association. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicates a significant positive association between SCH and increased CIMT, but with some limitations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases)
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