Pathogenesis of Coronary Atherosclerosis.
10.5124/jkma.2002.45.7.860
- Author:
Hyo Soo KIM
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Coronary artery;
Atherosclerosis;
Risk factor;
Pathogenesis
- MeSH:
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
Atherosclerosis;
Cardiovascular Diseases;
Cholesterol;
Coronary Artery Disease*;
Coronary Vessels;
Diabetes Mellitus;
Folic Acid;
Homocysteine;
Hypercholesterolemia;
Hyperhomocysteinemia;
Hypertension;
Nuts;
Oxidative Stress;
Risk Factors;
Rivers;
Smoke;
Smoking;
Ulcer;
Vasodilation;
Vegetables;
Vitamins
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2002;45(7):860-870
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Coronary atherosclerosis begins with the impairment of endothelial function of anti-thrombosis, vasorelaxation, anti-proliferation, and anti-atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfuction is induced not only by bio-chemical factors such as hypercholesterolemia, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, but also by bio-mechanical factors, such as disturbance of laminar flow of blood stream. In addition to these conventional risk factors, new ones emerge as important factors for atherosclerosis, which include hyperhomocysteinemia, oxidative stress, and infectious agents. The results of the several ongoing trials of antibiotics, antioxidant, and vitamins for prevention of cardiovascular diseases will elucidate implications of these new risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis. The new insight on the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis will change the preventive measures against cardiovascular events. We have to pay attention not only to the conventional measures such as reducing the cholesterol level, correcting hypertension, and prescribing anti-platelet agents, but also to the new measures such as reducing the homocysteine level by folate and vitamin B, encouraging intake of antioxidant in fresh vegetables and nuts, and eradicating infectious agents by oral care and ulcer treatment.
