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The treatment of cardiovascular disease continuum: focus on prevention and RAS blockade

Steven G Chrysant1, George S Chrysant, Catherine Chrysant

  • 1Oklahoma Cardiovascular and Hypertension Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73132-4904, USA. schrysant@yahoo.com

Current Clinical Pharmacology
|February 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Aggressively treating cardiovascular disease risk factors like diabetes and hypertension early is key. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers are highly effective in preventing disease progression and improving outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) progresses through a continuum from risk factors to end-stage heart failure.
  • Untreated risk factors like diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, smoking, and obesity lead to atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure.
  • Early intervention is crucial for preventing or delaying CVD progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cardiovascular disease continuum, focusing on risk factors and treatment strategies.
  • To emphasize the role of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers in managing cardiovascular risk.
  • To demonstrate that RAS blockers are optimal for treating the cardiovascular continuum.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed for studies published between 1995-2009.
  • Keywords included: cardiovascular continuum, obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, renal disease, stroke, and blockers of the renin angiotensin system (RAS).
  • 34 relevant randomized clinical trials and epidemiologic studies were selected for review.

Main Results:

  • The review focuses on prevention and aggressive treatment of cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Emphasis is placed on the efficacy of RAS blockers in managing the cardiovascular continuum.
  • RAS blockers are identified as the most effective therapeutic agents.

Conclusions:

  • Early and aggressive treatment of cardiovascular risk factors is essential.
  • RAS blockers play a pivotal role in managing the cardiovascular continuum.
  • Initiating treatment early in the cardiovascular continuum yields the best results.

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