Endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors.
The endothelium plays an integral role in the regulation of vascular tone, platelet activity, leukocyte adhesion, and thrombosis and is intimately involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction has been observed in patients with established coronary artery disease or coronary risk factors, both in the coronary and peripheral vasculature. Therapeutic interventions with lipid-lowering drugs, ACE inhibitors, physical activity, and antioxidant agents have been shown to improve endothelial function in coronary and peripheral vessels. This systemic manifestation and improvement of endothelial function suggests that a common mechanism may contribute to endothelial dysfunction in the coronary and peripheral circulation.


BACKGROUND
Internist, Cardiologists, Family physicians.


OBJECTIVE
After completion of this article, the reader should be able to define the participation of cardiovascular risk factors in the various complications associated with endothelial dysfunction.
Grover-Páez
Fernando
F
Division of Research, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Western Medical National Center, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. fgroverp@hotmail.com
Zavalza-Gómez
Ana Bertha
AB
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide