Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025
Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
Published on: January 15, 2022
The burden of hypercholesterolemia and ischemic heart disease in an ageing world
Angela Pirillo1, Giuseppe Danilo Norata2
1Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis, E. Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death globally. Disparities in hypercholesterolemia treatment and awareness, particularly between high-income and lower-income countries, contribute to ongoing ischemic heart disease deaths.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), especially ischemic heart disease (IHD), are the leading global cause of mortality and disability.
- Hypercholesterolemia is a primary risk factor for IHD, necessitating effective management strategies.
- Despite advances in cholesterol-lowering drugs, disparities in dyslipidemia awareness and healthcare expenditure persist globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze global trends in plasma cholesterol levels and their association with ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality.
- To investigate disparities in hypercholesterolemia management and outcomes across different global economic strata.
- To identify specific demographic groups, such as women and older individuals, most affected by these disparities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of global health data on cardiovascular disease mortality and plasma cholesterol levels over the past three decades.
- Stratification of data by country income levels to assess economic disparities in health outcomes.
- Examination of age- and sex-specific mortality data related to high LDL-C levels.
Main Results:
- Global plasma cholesterol levels have shown no significant change over 30 years, but high-income countries have improved lipid profiles, leading to reduced IHD deaths.
- Lower-income countries have not seen similar improvements, with some experiencing increases in IHD mortality.
- High LDL-C related IHD deaths disproportionately affect individuals aged 60 and above, with income-based variations observed.
Conclusions:
- Significant global disparities exist in managing hypercholesterolemia, directly impacting IHD mortality rates.
- Economic status is a critical determinant of success in reducing cholesterol-related cardiovascular disease burden.
- Targeted interventions are needed to bridge the gap in hypercholesterolemia treatment, focusing on vulnerable populations including women and the elderly.
Abstract:
Despite a general improvement in global health conditions in the last decades, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are still the first global cause of death and disability worldwide, with ischemic heart disease (IHD) being responsible for half of CVD deaths. Hypercholesterolemia is a major causal risk factor for IHD. Although the availability of effective cholesterol-lowering drugs largely increased in the last few years, we are still facing disparities in the awareness of dyslipidaemia as a CVD-associated risk factor and therefore in health expenditure among different world areas. Although no significant changes have been reported globally in the levels of plasma cholesterol in the last three decades, relevant differences among world areas according to their economic status can be observed. Only high-income countries have experienced an improvement in plasma lipid profile which translated into a substantial decrease in the deaths and disabilities due to IHD, whereas countries in other income groups showed no reduction or even an increase. As expected, most of the deaths for IHD attributable to high LDL-C occur in people aged 60 years and above, although significant differences can be observed according to income. Altogether these observations suggest the need for measures to reduce the gap in treating hypercholesterolemia among income groups, with special attention to women and older people.
More Related Videos
07:29Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
Published on: October 12, 2017
09:06Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice
Published on: February 20, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:17Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:26Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:30Atherosclerosis I: Introduction