Search Results (873)

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading global cause of death, with long-term hospitalization becoming increasingly frequent in advanced or chronic cases. In this context, the interplay between systemic factors such as lipid metabolism, circulating metabolites, gut microbiota, and oral health is gaining attention for its potential role in influencing inflammation, cardiometabolic risk, and long-term outcomes. Despite their apparent independence, these domains are increasingly recognized as interconnected and influential in cardiovascular pathophysiology. Methods: This narrative review was conducted by analyzing studies published between 2015 and 2024 from databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Keywords such as “lipid profile,” “metabolomics,” “gut microbiota,” “oral health,” and “cardiovascular disease” were used. Original research, meta-analyses, and reviews relevant to hospitalized cardiac patients were included. A critical integrative approach was applied to highlight cross-domain connections. Results and Discussion: Evidence reveals significant interrelations between altered lipid profiles, gut dysbiosis (including increased TMAO levels), metabolic imbalances, and oral inflammation. Each component contributes to a systemic pro-inflammatory state that worsens cardiovascular prognosis, particularly in long-term hospitalized patients. Despite isolated research in each domain, there is a paucity of studies integrating all four. The need for interdisciplinary diagnostic models and preventive strategies is emphasized, especially in populations with frailty or immobilization. Conclusions: Monitoring lipid metabolism, metabolomic shifts, gut microbial balance, and oral status should be considered part of comprehensive cardiovascular care. Gut microbiota exerts a dual role in cardiac health: when balanced, it supports anti-inflammatory and metabolic homeostasis; when dysbiotic, it contributes to systemic inflammation and worsened cardiac outcomes. Future research should aim to develop integrative screening tools and personalized interventions that address the multifactorial burden of disease. A systemic approach may improve both short- and long-term outcomes in this complex and vulnerable patient population. Full article

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, with pathophysiological mechanisms often involving platelet activation and chronic inflammation. While antiplatelet agents targeting adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-mediated pathways are well established in CVD management, less is known about drug interactions with the platelet-activating factor (PAF) pathway, a key mediator of inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of several commonly used cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory drug classes—including clopidogrel, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, and analgesics—on platelet function via both the ADP and PAF pathways. Using human platelet-rich plasma (hPRP) from healthy donors, we assessed platelet aggregation in response to these two agonists in the absence and presence of graded concentrations of each of these drugs or of their usually prescribed combinations. The study identified differential drug effects on platelet aggregation, with some agents showing pathway-specific activity. Clopidogrel and NSAIDs demonstrated expected antiplatelet effects, while some (not all) antihypertensives exhibited additional anti-inflammatory potential. These findings highlight the relevance of evaluating pharmacological activity beyond traditional targets, particularly in relation to PAF-mediated inflammation and thrombosis. This dual-pathway analysis may contribute to a broader understanding of drug mechanisms and inform the development of more comprehensive therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular, hypertension, and inflammation-driven diseases. Full article

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains Europe’s leading cause of mortality, responsible for >45% of deaths. Beyond established risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, smoking, obesity), psychosocial elements—depression, anxiety, financial stress, personality traits, and trauma—significantly influence CVD development and progression. Behavioural Cardiology addresses this connection by systematically incorporating psychosocial factors into prevention and rehabilitation protocols. This review examines the HEARTBEAT model, developed by Greece’s first Behavioural Cardiology Unit, which aligns with current European guidelines. The model serves dual purposes: primary prevention (targeting at-risk individuals) and secondary prevention (treating established CVD patients). It is a personalised medicine approach that integrates psychosocial profiling with traditional risk assessment, utilising tailored evaluation tools, caregiver input, and multidisciplinary collaboration to address personality traits, emotional states, socioeconomic circumstances, and cultural contexts. The model emphasises three critical implementation aspects: (1) digital health integration, (2) cost-effectiveness analysis, and (3) healthcare system adaptability. Compared to international approaches, it highlights research gaps in psychosocial interventions and advocates for culturally sensitive adaptations, particularly in resource-limited settings. Special consideration is given to older populations requiring tailored care strategies. Ultimately, Behavioural Cardiology represents a transformative systems-based approach bridging psychology, lifestyle medicine, and cardiovascular treatment. This integration may prove pivotal for optimising chronic disease management through personalised interventions that address both biological and psychosocial determinants of cardiovascular health. Full article

This review introduces a novel integrative framework linking gut dysbiosis, systemic inflammation, and cardiovascular risk in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We highlight emerging biomarkers, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), calprotectin, and zonulin, that reflect alterations in the gut microbiome and increased intestinal permeability, which contribute to cardiovascular pathology. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and recent evidence identifies IBD, encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), as a significant non-traditional risk factor for CVD. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how dysbiosis-driven inflammation in IBD patients exacerbates endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability, and atherosclerosis, even in the absence of traditional risk factors. Additionally, we discuss how commonly used IBD therapies may modulate cardiovascular risk. Understanding these multifactorial mechanisms and validating reliable biomarkers are essential for improving cardiovascular risk stratification and guiding targeted prevention strategies in this vulnerable population. Full article

Background: This study presents an innovative approach to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction based on a comprehensive analysis of clinical, immunological and biochemical markers using mathematical modelling and machine learning methods. Baseline data include indices of humoral and cellular immunity (CD59, CD16, IL-10, CD14, CD19, CD8, CD4, etc.), cytokines and markers of cardiovascular disease, inflammatory markers (TNF, GM-CSF, CRP), growth and angiogenesis factors (VEGF, PGF), proteins involved in apoptosis and cytotoxicity (perforin, CD95), as well as indices of liver function, kidney function, oxidative stress and heart failure (albumin, cystatin C, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), C-reactive protein (CRP), cholinesterase (ChE), cholesterol, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR)). Clinical and behavioural risk factors were also considered: arterial hypertension (AH), previous myocardial infarction (PICS), aortocoronary bypass surgery (CABG) and/or stenting, coronary heart disease (CHD), atrial fibrillation (AF), atrioventricular block (AB block), and diabetes mellitus (DM), as well as lifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity level), education, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: The study included 52 patients aged 65 years and older. Based on the clinical, biochemical and immunological data obtained, a model for predicting the risk of premature cardiovascular aging was developed using mathematical modelling and machine learning methods. The aim of the study was to develop a predictive model allowing for the early detection of predisposition to the development of CVDs and their complications. Numerical methods of mathematical modelling, including Runge–Kutta, Adams–Bashforth and backward-directed Euler methods, were used to solve the prediction problem, which made it possible to describe the dynamics of changes in biomarkers and patients’ condition over time with high accuracy. Results: HLA-DR (50%), CD14 (41%) and CD16 (38%) showed the highest association with aging processes. BMI was correlated with placental growth factor (37%). The glomerular filtration rate was positively associated with physical activity (47%), whereas SOD activity was negatively correlated with it (48%), reflecting a decline in antioxidant defence. Conclusions: The obtained results allow for improving the accuracy of cardiovascular risk prediction, and form personalised recommendations for the prevention and correction of its development. Full article

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a group of metabolic defects that include hypertension, insulin resistance, visceral obesity, fatty liver disease, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). The first step in controlling the progression of MetS is lifestyle changes, including dietary modification. Regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other plant foods negatively correlates with the risk of developing chronic diseases. Green leafy vegetables (GLVs) are a key element of healthy eating habits and an important source of vitamins C and E, carotenoids—mainly β-carotene and lutein—and minerals. This review discusses and summarizes the current knowledge on the health benefits of consuming GLVs in the prevention and treatment of MetS to provide a compendium for other researchers investigating new natural products. Full article

Obesity is a growing global health concern with widespread impacts on physical, psychological, and social well-being. Clinically, it is a major driver of type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease (CVD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cancer, reducing life expectancy by 5–20 years and imposing a staggering economic burden of USD 2 trillion annually (2.8% of global GDP). Despite its significant health and socioeconomic impact, earlier obesity medications, such as fenfluramine, sibutramine, and orlistat, fell short of expectations due to limited effectiveness, serious side effects including valvular heart disease and gastrointestinal issues, and high rates of treatment discontinuation. The advent of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide) has revolutionized obesity management. These agents demonstrate unprecedented efficacy, achieving 15–25% mean weight loss in clinical trials, alongside reducing major adverse cardiovascular events by 20% and T2D incidence by 72%. Emerging therapies, including oral GLP-1 agonists and triple-receptor agonists (e.g., retatrutide), promise enhanced tolerability and muscle preservation, potentially bridging the efficacy gap with bariatric surgery. However, challenges persist. High costs, supply shortages, and unequal access pose significant barriers to the widespread implementation of obesity treatment, particularly in low-resource settings. Gastrointestinal side effects and long-term safety concerns require close monitoring, while weight regain after medication discontinuation emphasizes the need for ongoing adherence and lifestyle support. This review highlights the transformative potential of incretin-based therapies while advocating for policy reforms to address cost barriers, equitable access, and preventive strategies. Future research must prioritize long-term cardiovascular outcome trials and mitigate emerging risks, such as sarcopenia and joint degeneration. A multidisciplinary approach combining pharmacotherapy, behavioral interventions, and systemic policy changes is critical to curbing the obesity epidemic and its downstream consequences. Full article

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions, including obesity, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, and hypertension, that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While studied often in adults, the increasing prevalence of MetS in children and adolescents underscores the need for its early detection and intervention. Among various biomarkers, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) has gained substantial attention due to its associations with metabolic health and disease. This review provides a comprehensive overview of SHBG and its association with MetS, with a focus on the pediatric and adolescent population. The interplay between SHBG, puberty, and metabolic risk factors is explored, including racial and ethnic variations. SHBG plays a crucial role in transporting sex hormones and regulating their bioavailability and has been found to correlate inversely with obesity and IR, two key components of MetS. Puberty represents a critical period during which hormonal changes and metabolic shifts may further influence SHBG levels and metabolic health. Understanding SHBG’s role in early metabolic risk detection could provide novel insights into the prevention and management of MetS. Full article

Despite notable advancements in clinical care, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading global cause of mortality. Encompassing a wide range of heart and blood vessel disorders, CVD requires targeted prevention and treatment strategies to mitigate its public health impact. In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, influencing key processes such as vascular remodeling, inflammation, and immune responses in CVDs. EVs, including exosomes and microvesicles, carry bioactive molecules such as miRNAs, proteins, and lipids that contribute to disease progression. They are released by various cell types, including platelets, erythrocytes, leukocytes, endothelial cells, and cardiomyocytes, each playing distinct roles in cardiovascular homeostasis and pathology. Given their presence in circulating blood and other body fluids, EVs are increasingly recognized as promising non-invasive biomarkers for CVD diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, EV-based therapeutic strategies, including engineered EVs for targeted drug delivery, are being explored for treating atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and hypertension. However, challenges remain regarding the standardization of EV isolation and characterization techniques, which are critical for their clinical implementation. This review highlights the diverse roles of EVs in CVD pathophysiology, their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and emerging therapeutic applications, clearing the way for their integration into cardiovascular precision medicine. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests connections between CVD risk factors―including hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemia (HLP), diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, and physical inactivity―and AD. The Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) dietary pattern has recently garnered considerable attention as a key preventive strategy for both CVDs and AD. While previous studies have examined the connections between CVD risk factors and AD, they have not thoroughly explored their underlying mechanisms. Therefore, the current literature review aims to synthesize the literature and highlight underlying mechanisms from preclinical to clinical studies to elucidate the relationship between CVD risk factors, AD, and the role of the MIND dietary pattern in these conditions. The MIND dietary pattern emphasizes foods rich in antioxidants and brain-healthy nutrients such as vitamin E, folate, polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids. These components have been associated with reduced amyloid-β accumulation in preclinical studies and may contribute to the prevention of AD, either directly or indirectly by affecting CVD risk factors. Despite the extensive evidence from preclinical and observational studies, few clinical trials have investigated the effects of the MIND dietary pattern on cognitive health. Therefore, long-term clinical trials are required to better understand and establish the potential role of the MIND dietary pattern in preventing and managing AD. Full article

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is very widespread in countries with a Western-style diet, representing one of the major causes of morbidity. Genetic factors, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and ageing are risk factors for CVD outcomes. From a pathogenic point of view, the condition of low-grade inflammation of the arteries leads to endothelial damage and atherosclerosis development. Nowadays, a broad range of drugs is available to treat CVD, but many of them are associated with side effects. Therefore, alternative therapeutic remedies need to be discovered in combination with conventional drugs. A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, e.g., the Mediterranean diet, has been shown to lower the incidence of CVD. Plant-derived polyphenols are ingested in food, and these compounds can exert beneficial effects on human health, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Objective: In the present review, the cellular and molecular bases of the beneficial effects of polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of CVD will be pointed out. Methods: This review has been conducted on the basis of a literature review spanning mainly the last two decades. Results: We found that an increased dietary intake of polyphenols is associated with a parallel decrease in chronic disease incidence, including CVD. Conclusion: Despite a plethora of preclinical studies, more clinical trials are needed for a more appropriate treatment of CVD with polyphenols. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with increasing evidence suggesting that their origins may lie in prenatal life. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenol A (BPA), have been implicated in the alteration of fetal programming mechanisms that cause a predisposition to long-term cardiovascular vulnerability. However, the impact of prenatal endocrine disruption on fetal heart development and its sex-specific nature remains incompletely understood. This study investigates the molecular and structural effects of low-dose prenatal BPA exposure on fetal rat hearts. Our results reveal that BPA disrupts estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in a sex-dependent manner, with distinct alterations in ERα, ERβ, and GPER expression. BPA exposure also triggers significant inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis; this is evidenced by elevated NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, as well as impaired antioxidant defenses (SOD1, SOD2, CAT, and SELENOT), increased lipid peroxidation (MDA) and protein oxidation, decreased GPX4, and increased ACSL4 levels. These alterations are accompanied by increased markers of cardiac distension (ANP, BNP), extracellular matrix remodeling mediators, and pro-fibrotic regulators (Col1A1, Col3A1, TGF-β, and CTGF), with a more pronounced response in males. Histological analyses corroborated these molecular findings, revealing structural alterations as well as glycogen depletion in male fetal hearts, consistent with altered cardiac morphogenesis and metabolic stress. These effects were milder in females, reinforcing the notion of sex-specific vulnerability. Moreover, prenatal BPA exposure affected myocardial fiber architecture and vascular remodeling in a sex-dependent manner, as evidenced by reduced expression of desmin alongside increased levels of CD34 and Ki67. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into the crucial role of prenatal endocrine disruption during fetal heart development and its contribution to the early origins of CVD, underscoring the urgent need for targeted preventive strategies and further research into the functional impact of BPA-induced alterations on postnatal cardiac function and long-term disease susceptibility. Full article

Aging is a major non-modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), in part due to its detrimental effects on vascular endothelial function. Dietary interventions, including those rich in plant-based components or following dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean Diet, have been shown to improve endothelial function in older adults, assessed via brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). However, it is well recognized that FMD responses to dietary interventions often show considerable variability among individuals. This variability presents a major challenge to translating findings into effective, population-level guidance highlighting the need for more tailored approaches for CVD risk prevention. Thus, to advance these precision nutrition approaches, research must move beyond the overall group mean effects and begin to investigate the factors driving this variability. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on nutritional interventions that improve endothelial function with aging, highlights potential contributors to individual response variability, and outlines future research directions to reduce this variability to enhance clinical relevance and advance precision nutrition for the aging population. Full article

Background/Objective: Dyslipidemia significantly contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD), with triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as key components. While genetics play a key role in lipid levels, the interplay between genetic predisposition and modifiable lifestyle factors remains unexplored in population-based studies. We aimed to study the associations between weighted polygenic risk scores (wPRS) for TG and HDL-C, lifestyle, and metabolic factors with lipid traits and CVD. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, genotype, metabolic and lifestyle data from an Israeli cohort (n = 5584 adults) were analyzed. Individual wPRSs were constructed for TG and HDL-C based on SNPs associated with each trait. Gene-environment (lifestyle and metabolic factors) associations were evaluated by stratifying participants into high wPRS (≥90th percentile) vs. lower wPRS (<90th percentile). Results: High wPRSs were significantly associated with unfavorable lipid profiles (higher TG and lower HDL-C) and elevated TG/HDL-C ratios. Males and females in the high wPRS_HDL had 97- and 10-fold higher odds of CVD, respectively (p < 0.0001). Individuals with a combined high wPRS_HDL and wPRS_TG showed a 44-fold increase in CVD odds (p < 0.0001). Obesity (BMI > 30) and HbA1c ≥5.7% were significantly associated with elevated TG and reduced HDL-C levels, particularly in high wPRS_HDL and WPRS_TG individuals, while moderate wine (1–3 drinks/week) consumption and coffee intake (≥1 cup/day) mitigated these effects, particularly among individuals with high wPRS. Conclusions: Risk stratification based on genetic, lifestyle and metabolic profiles may inform personalized prevention strategies for dyslipidemia. Full article

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) rank among the leading global causes of mortality, underscoring the necessity for early detection and effective management. This research presents a novel prediction model for CVDs utilizing a bagging algorithm that incorporates histogram gradient boosting as the estimator. This study leverages three preprocessed cardiovascular datasets, employing the Local Outlier Factor technique for outlier removal and the information gain method for feature selection. Through rigorous experimentation, the proposed model demonstrates superior performance compared to conventional machine learning approaches, such as Logistic Regression, Support Vector Classification, Gaussian Naïve Bayes, Multi-Layer Perceptron, k-nearest neighbors, Random Forest, AdaBoost, gradient boosting, and histogram gradient boosting. Evaluation metrics, including precision, recall, F1 score, accuracy, and AUC, yielded impressive results: 93.90%, 98.83%, 96.30%, 96.25%, and 0.9916 for dataset I; 94.17%, 99.05%, 96.54%, 96.48%, and 0.9931 for dataset II; and 89.81%, 82.40%, 85.91%, 86.66%, and 0.9274 for dataset III. The findings indicate that the proposed prediction model has the potential to facilitate early CVD detection, thereby enhancing preventive strategies and improving patient outcomes. Full article