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Genetic Risk, Adherence to a Healthy Lifestyle, and Ischemic Heart Disease
Thomas F Whayne1,2, Sibu P Saha3
1Gill Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. twhayn0@uky.edu.
Current Cardiology Reports
|January 12, 2019
Summary
This review highlights the underappreciated roles of genetic risk and therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) in coronary artery disease (CAD) management. Understanding specific genetic factors and adhering to TLC are crucial for comprehensive patient care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) management often overlooks genetic predisposition and lifestyle interventions.
- Genetic risk is traditionally linked to broad cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, but future understanding involves specific genes, genetic risk scores, SNPs, and miRNAs.
- Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) includes physical fitness, exercise, behavioral modification, diet, and stress reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and discuss the significance of genetic risk and TLC in coronary artery disease (CAD).
- To emphasize the inadequate attention these crucial aspects receive in patient care.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on genetic risk factors for CAD.
- Analysis of the components and impact of Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) on cardiovascular risk reduction.
- Exploration of the interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and TLC.
Main Results:
- Genetic risk assessment is evolving towards identifying specific genetic markers (SNPs, miRNAs) and developing genetic risk scores.
- Each component of TLC independently contributes to reducing CV risk.
- TLC can influence gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Both genetic risk and TLC are vital for comprehensive CAD management.
- Despite the focus on pharmaceutical interventions like statins, the impact of TLC, dependent on patient adherence, should not be neglected.
- Further research into personalized genetic risk and optimized TLC strategies is warranted.
Keywords:
AtherosclerosisCoronary artery diseaseGeneticsHyperlipoproteinemiasLipoprotein (a)Low-density lipoprotein cholesterolTherapeutic lifestyle changeMore Related Videos
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