The heroin abuses can seriously damage human body system, among them the damage of cardiovascular system is various. In this paper those damages involved heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, heart function, blood circulation, the changes of some material inside, and complications of cardiovascular system are reviewed.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac/etiology* ; Blood Circulation ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases/physiopathology* ; Death, Sudden/etiology* ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Heroin Dependence/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia/etiology*

PURPOSE: Reduced heart rate variability significantly increases cardiovascular mortality. Metabolic syndrome increases the cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Recently, increasing cardiovascular mortality has been reported in patients with schizophrenia. This study was done to compare heart rate variability between adults with and without schizophrenia and to compare the relationship of heart rate variability to metabolic syndrome in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: This was a descriptive and correlational study in which 719 adults without schizophrenia and 308 adults with schizophrenia took part between May and June 2008. We measured the following: five-minute heart rate variability; high-frequency, low-frequency, the ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency, and the Standard Deviation of all the normal RR intervals. Data was also collected on metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting glucose. RESULTS: The Standard Deviation of all the normal RR intervals values of heart rate variability indices were 1.53+/-0.18. The low-frequency and high-frequency values of heart rate variability indices were significantly higher in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia (3.89+/-1.36; 3.80+/-1.20) than those in the healthy participants (2.20+/-0.46; 2.10+/-0.46). There were no significant differences between the schizophrenic patients with and without metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that schizophrenia patients have significantly lower cardiac autonomic control, but they have significantly higher low-frequency and high-frequency values than those of healthy adults. Use of antipsychotic drug may affect the autonomic nervous system in schizophrenic patients. Metabolic syndrome was not associated with cardiac autonomic control in schizophrenia patients.
Adult ; Autonomic Nervous System/physiopathology ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases/complications/diagnosis/mortality ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood ; Female ; *Heart Rate ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*complications/*physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/etiology ; Schizophrenia/*complications/mortality/*physiopathology ; Triglycerides/blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate metabolic syndrome components that influencing the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

METHODSFive hundred persons were selected from a unit in Nanning city, Guangxi, based on the cross-sectional study on a distribution of population with metabolic syndrome in 2004 and followed them up for 3.5 more years. Physical examination would include detection on blood pressure, glucose, serum cholesterol and body index etc. When someone suffered from cardiovascular disease would be viewed as an 'end-point event'. Criteria of diagnosis were under the basis of CVD from the WHO-MONICA.

RESULTS(1) The mean value of physical and biochemical index as BMI, waist circumstance, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure. Fast serum glucose, triglyceride in the population with more MS components were higher than the ones with less components. (2) The prevalence rates of CVD in the four groups were 2.97%, 4.19%, 7.97%, 11.88% respectively with significant differences between the groups (P = 0.0008). (3) Data from the logistic analysis manifested that when compared to the 0 group, the risk rate of CVD for groups having 1, 2, 3 components were 1.41, 2.68, 4.00 respectively. After adjusted age and sex, time of occurrences, results from the Cox model showed that the risk rate of CVD for groups with 1, 2, 3 components were 1.29, 2.47, 3.67 (RR 95%CI: 1.02 - 13.14) respectively. (4) Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cum hazard of CVD in the 3rd group was higher than in the 0, 1 group, and at the end of follow-up, the cum hazard of CVD was 12.7% in the 3rd group among population with metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONWhen increasing the number of components of metabolic syndrome, the higher risk ratio for population to suffer from CVD was seen. With the natural process of disease, the more components of metabolic syndrome in population, the higher cum hazard would influence the occurrence of CVD in the future.

Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; etiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the major cardiovascular risk factors affecting small arterial elasticity and the effect of combined multiple risk factors on it.

METHODSArterial elasticity indexes (C(1)-large artery and C(2)-small artery) were measured with CVProfilor DO-2020. The status of insulin resistance was evaluated with HOMA (homeostasis model assessment). Subjects were categorized into abnormal C(2) group and control group according to the level of C(2). The former group was further divided into four subgroups (0 to 3) based on the number of risk factors.

RESULTS(1) The levels of age, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in abnormal C(2) group were higher than those in control group, whereas C(2) itself was lower than that in control group (P all < 0.05). Age, TC, LDL-C, FBG, SBP and DBP were significantly inversely correlated with C(2). (2) With the clusters of risk factors increasing, C(2) was decreasing (6.5 +/- 2.6 vs 5.4 +/- 2.3 vs 4.7 +/- 2.7 vs 3.1 +/- 1.6, P < 0.001). C(2) decreased significantly in subjects with multiple risk factors (subgroup 3). (3) Fasting plasma insulin and HOMA-IR (insulin resistance index) were significantly higher in subgroup 3 than in the other subgroups (P < 0.05, P < 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThe elevations of age, TC, LDL-C, FBG, SBP and DBP were the major cardiovascular risk factors on the reduction of C(2), and the effects on it were continuously. With their concurrent effects, multiple risk factors could decrease small arterial elasticity much more significantly. Insulin resistance seems to be closely related to the clusters of multiple risk factors.

Adult ; Aged ; Arterioles ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; blood ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Elasticity ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between resting heart rate (RHR)and target organs damage in senile essential hypertension.

METHODSAll 206 elderly essential hypertensive patients (age: 60 - 85 years) were divided into three groups according to the levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP): SBP < 160 mm Hg, 160 mm Hg /= 180 mm Hg. Each of the groups mentioned above were divided into five groups according to the levels of RHR [RHR1 group: RHR < 65 beats/minute(bpm); RHR2: 65 bpm /= 80 bpm]. Electrocardiography, carotid ultrasonography, echocardiography, creatinine clearance rate (CCr) and quantitative test for 24 hours' urinary microalbuminuria (MAU) were performed.

RESULTS(1) Compared with RHR1-RHR4 groups, the RHR5 group showed with lower levels of MAU and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with RHR1 and RHR2 groups, RHR5 or RHR4 group showed with higher levels of carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT) and carotid arterial diameter (CAD), lower CCr and MAU (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (2) The levels of IMT, CAD, LVMI, MAU were positively correlated to RHR (r = 0.312, 0.289, 0.630, 0.563, 0.576 respectively, all P < 0.01), however, the levels of LVEF, CCr were negatively correlated to RHR (r = -0.563, -0.510. all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTarget organ damage (TOD) seems not only related with PP, SBP, DBP, but also related with RHR in senile essential hypertension. RHR may be one of the important risk factors in TOD.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo observe the association between baseline pulse pressure (PP) level and new-onset cardio-cerebrovascular events in diabetic population.

METHODSPhysical examination data between July 2006 to October 2007 from a total of 101 510 employees of Kailuan Group were reviewed, 8306 subjects with a fasting plasma glucose level of ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or with confirmed diabetes diagnosis and were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Subjects were followed up for 38-53 (48.1 ± 3.1) months and the cardio-cerebrovascular events were obtained every six months, association between baseline PP and new-onset cardio-cerebrovascular events in the diabetic population were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) Incidences of total cardio-cerebrovascular events in the PP groups were 3.4%, 2.8%, 4.5%, 6.4%, respectively. Incidences of cerebral infarction events and myocardial infarction were 2.1%, 1.6%, 2.9%, 3.9% and 1.1%, 0.7%, 1.0%, 1.7%, respectively. (2) Multivariate Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that baseline PP group was the risk factor for total cardio-cerebrovascular events, cerebral infarction events and myocardial infarction, and the risk for all the events of the PP ≥ 60 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) group was increasing. The values of RR(95%CI) were 1.88 (95%CI 1.34-2.65, P < 0.01), 1.92 (95%CI 1.23-2.99, P < 0.01) and 1.52 (95%CI 0.82-2.81, P > 0.05) after adjust the other factors.(3) In line with increasing level of baseline PP, age, BMI, SBP, DBP, HDL-C, and hs-CRP levels significantly increased in this diabetic population (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe level of high baseline PP is a risk factor for new-onset cardio-cerebrovascular events in diabetic population.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; physiopathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

Stenosis with 55.2% cross section area reduction was introduced into the rabbit aorta. Using Evans blue dye and scanning microscope, we observed the morphology of endothelial cells and the permeability of endothelium to albumin in the stenotic aorta. Numerical simulation of blood flow in the stenotic aorta was performed to obtain the distribution of wall shear rate. The results showed that in the immediately proximal and distal vicinity of stenosis, blood flow was disturbed significantly, resulting in apparent changes in the morphology of endothelial cells and the permeability of endothelium to albumin. These changes were not only attributed to the value of wall shear stress, but also attributed to the flow pattern in the stenosis. The result therefore is in good consistent with the clinical observation that atherosclerosis often occurs in the areas where blood flow is disturbed and flow separation occurs.
Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; pathology ; Aortic Diseases ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Atherosclerosis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Blood Pressure ; Capillary Permeability ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Endothelium, Vascular ; pathology ; physiology ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Hemorheology ; methods ; Male ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Permeability ; Pulsatile Flow ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVETo verify Working Group for Obesity in China (WGOC) recommended body mass index (BMI) classification reference for overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents using the data of 2002 China Nationwide Nutrition and Health Survey.

METHODSPediatric metabolic syndrome (MetS) and abnormality of each risk factor for MetS were defined using the criteria for US adolescents. Definition of hyper-TC, LDL, and dyslipidemia in adults was applied as well. The average level and abnormality rate of the metabolic indicators were described by BMI percentiles and compared with general linear model analysis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to summarize the potential of BMI to discriminate between the presence and absence of the abnormality of these indicators.

RESULTSThere was neither significantly increasing nor significantly decreasing trend of biochemical parameter levels in low BMI percentile range (<65th). Slight increasing trend from the 75th and a significant increase were found when BMI > or =85th percentile. In general, the prevalence of the examined risk factors varied slightly when BMI percentile<75th, and substantial increases were consistently seen when BMI percentile > or =75th. As an indicator of hyper-TG, hypertension and MetS, the sensitivity and specificity were equal at the point of BMI<75th percentile, and the Youden's index of risk factors also reached peak point before 75th percentile except for MetS. When the BMI percentile was used as the screening indicator of MetS, Youden's index reached peak point at 85th percentile, just the point in the ROC graph that was nearest to the upper left corner.

CONCLUSIONThe BMI classification reference for overweight and obesity recommended by WGOC is rational to predict and prevent health risks in Chinese children and adolescents. Lower screening cut-off points, such as 83th percentile or 80th percentile, should not be excluded when they are considered as overweight criteria in future intervention or prevention studies.

Adolescent ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Child ; China ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Overweight ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; blood

Antibody against the angiotensin AT1 receptor (AT1-Ab) could disturb placental development. The placenta is the key organ between mother and fetus. Placental damage will seriously impair fetal growth and development in utero, leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Based on the fetal origins of adult disease (FOAD) hypothesis, IUGR could increase a propensity to develop adult onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present study was designed to determine whether vascular function has changed in the adult offspring of AT1-Ab positive pregnant rats. Twenty four female rats (8-week-old, AT1-Ab negative) were randomly divided into two groups, immunized and vehicle groups. Immunized group received active immunization to establish AT1-Ab-positive model, while vehicle group was subjected to Freund's adjuvant without antigen. After 8 weeks of immunization, the antibody titers in sera from the female rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Then all the female rats were mated with normal Wistar male rats and became pregnant. Immunized/vehicle group offspring rats (I offspring/V offspring) were raised to 40-week-old under standard chow feeding. Then the two groups' offspring rats were given a high-salt diet for 12 weeks (4% NaCl in chow feeding). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured dynamically by noninvasive blood pressure system. The vascular ring experiment was performed to detect vascular function and reactivity. As detected by ELISA, the titers of antibody peaked at the 8th week (OD values: 2.75 ± 0.08 vs 0.33 ± 0.01, P < 0.01 vs vehicle group at the same time point). There was no significant difference of SBP between the two groups' offspring rats during the high-salt diet (P > 0.05). Isolated thoracic aortic rings of I offspring had significantly decreased constriction under norepinephrine treatment (P < 0.01 vs V offspring) and significantly decreased dilation under acetylcholine treatment (P < 0.05 vs V offspring). These results suggest that the offspring of AT1-Ab-positive pregnant rats are more susceptible to vascular functional abnormality while being fed high-salt diet.
Animals ; Antibodies ; blood ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Disease Susceptibility ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; physiopathology ; Immunization ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; immunology ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Poor sleep quality (SQ) is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Additionally, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, no sufficient data regarding the relationship between ADMA levels and SQ have been reported. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the association between SQ and ADMA levels in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The study participants consisted of 78 normotensive type 2 diabetics. The SQ of all participants was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Patients with a global PSQI score > 5 were defined as "poor sleepers." Factors associated with poor SQ were analyzed using a multiple regression model. Serum ADMA levels were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The median ADMA levels of the poor sleepers were increased compared with patients defined as good sleepers (5.5 [4.2 to 6.6] vs. 4.4 [2.9 to 5.4], p < 0.01, respectively). However, the L-arginine/ADMA ratio was decreased in poor sleepers (p < 0.01). Global PSQI scores were positively correlated with ADMA levels (p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with the L-arginine/ADMA ratio (p = 0.02). ADMA levels were correlated with sleep latency (p < 0.01) and sleep efficiency (p = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that ADMA levels (odds ratio [OR], 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 2.44; p = 0.01) and body mass index (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.31; p = 0.04) were associated with poor SQ independently of glomerular filtration rate, sex, age, duration of diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported SQ was independently associated with ADMA levels in normotensive patients with diabetes mellitus.
Adult ; Arginine/*analogs & derivatives/blood ; Biomarkers/blood ; Cardiovascular Diseases/blood/*etiology/physiopathology ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood/*complications/diagnosis/physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; *Sleep ; Sleep Wake Disorders/blood/*complications/diagnosis/physiopathology ; Surveys and Questionnaires