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Neuropeptide immunoreactivity and co-existence in cardiovascular nerves and autonomic ganglia of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, and cardiovascular effects of neuropeptides.

The two aortas of the crocodile are in open connection at two sites, the foramen of Panizzae immediately outside the ventricles, and the arterial anastomosis at the level of the gut. The present study was performed to elucidate the innervation of the cardiovascular structures of the crocodile, in part to provide a further basis for the assumption that the apertures of the foramen and the anastomosis may be altered, possibly leading to changes in the flow profiles of the central vessels. The presence of smooth muscle arranged at the circumference of the foramen and in the walls of the anastomosis was demonstrated. The cardiovascular structures were innervated by nerves containing co-existing tyrosine hydroxylase, NPY and somatostatin immunoreactivities, which also occurred in neurons of the sympathetic ganglia. CGRP and substance P immunoreactive material co-existed in cardiovascular nerves, and in the nodose ganglion. In addition, bombesin, VIP and galanin immunoreactive nerves were found. Effects of neuropeptides on blood flows and blood pressures were studied in vivo. Substance P increased all blood flows measured, NPY increased the flow through the arterial anastomosis while neurotensin caused an initial decrease in the flow through the arterial anastomosis. In conclusion, there is a rich innervation of the heart and major vessels of the estuarine crocodile, including the foramen of Panizza and the arterial anastomosis. These nerves possibly regulate the distribution of blood in the cardiovascular system, which is further suggested by the results of the injection of neuropeptides.

Alligators and Crocodiles↗

Introduction to the Canadian Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Team's (CCORT) Canadian Cardiovascular Atlas project.

The Canadian Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Team's (CCORT) Canadian Cardiovascular Atlas project was developed to provide Canadians with a national report on the state of cardiovascular health and health services in Canada. Written by a group of Canada's leading experts in cardiovascular outcomes research, the CCORT cardiac Atlas will cover a wide variety of topics ranging from cardiac risk factors and cardiac mortality rates to the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure and the outcomes of invasive cardiac procedures across Canada. Data in the Atlas will be presented at a national, provincial and health region level. The Atlas will be published as a series of 20 articles and chapters in future issues of The Canadian Journal of Cardiology and on CCORT's web site (www.ccort.ca). The journal version of the Atlas chapters will be written for a clinical audience and will include editorials written by invited experts, whereas the web-based version of each chapter will be written for a more general audience and will include additional supplemental information (for example, interactive colour maps and tables) that cannot be included in the journal version. Material from the Journal and the web will eventually be compiled into a book that will be distributed across Canada. This article serves as an introduction to the Atlas project and describes the rationale for and objectives of the CCORT national cardiac Atlas project.

Atlases as Topic↗

[Participation of the cardiovascular neurons of the bulbar cardiovascular center in the adaptive reactions of the circulatory system during changes in the composition of inspired air].

The experiments performed on rabbits have shown that with the inhalation of various gas mixtures the impulse activity of cardiovascular neurons in bulbar cardiovascular centre is changed. The most active are inserted cardiovascular neurons that are highly sensitive to O2 shortage and CO2 excess. It is believed that the experiments on Hering nerve severing indicate the possible development of reflex effects on hemodynamics during changes in inhaled gas composition produced from sinocarotid reflexogenic zone not only through bulbar respiratory neurons, but also through a system of inserted neurons of bulbar cardiovascular centre.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Exercise training and the cardiovascular consequences of type 2 diabetes and hypertension: plausible mechanisms for improving cardiovascular health.

The coexistence of type 2 diabetes and hypertension is especially damaging to cardiovascular health. Most trials of exercise training for these conditions have focused on glycemic control and blood pressure reduction. Less is known about the effects of exercise on the cardiovascular consequences of diabetes and hypertension. This article reviews the available evidence and plausible mechanisms by which exercise training may improve the cardiovascular health of persons with type 2 diabetes and hypertension and provides practical guidelines for exercise prescription. A MEDLINE search was performed for January 1985 to June 2002. Bibliographies from relevant articles, professional society clinical practice guidelines, and books were also reviewed. Because few large, randomized trials exist on these topics, meta-analyses, smaller trials, nonrandomized trials, and animal studies were also considered. Data quality was determined by publication in peer-reviewed journals or professional society literature. Type 2 diabetes and hypertension result in abnormalities in central and peripheral parameters of cardiovascular structure and function. Evidence for an exercise training benefit is strongest for improvements in endothelial vasodilator function and left ventricular diastolic function. The data for exercise training's improvement of arterial stiffness and system inflammation and reduction of left ventricular mass are less robust. However, this assertion is based more on a lack of randomized controlled trials rather than data to the contrary. Exercise training also reduces total and abdominal fat. These changes in body composition mediate improvements in insulin sensitivity and blood pressure and may improve endothelial vasodilator function. The current evidence, albeit not fully confirmed in randomized trials, suggests that the benefits of exercise training go beyond the recognized benefits of glycemic control and blood pressure reduction.

Adipose Tissue↗

Cardiovascular risk factors in childhood and carotid artery intima-media thickness in adulthood: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

CONTEXT: Exposure to cardiovascular risk factors during childhood and adolescence may be associated with the development of atherosclerosis later in life. OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors measured in childhood and adolescence and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of preclinical atherosclerosis, measured in adulthood. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Population-based, prospective cohort study conducted at 5 centers in Finland among 2229 white adults aged 24 to 39 years who were examined in childhood and adolescence at ages 3 to 18 years in 1980 and reexamined 21 years later, between September 2001 and January 2002. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Association between cardiovascular risk variables (levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and triglycerides; LDL-C/HDL-C ratio; systolic and diastolic blood pressure; body mass index; smoking) measured in childhood and adulthood and common carotid artery IMT measured in adulthood. RESULTS: In multivariable models adjusted for age and sex, IMT in adulthood was significantly associated with childhood LDL-C levels (P =.001), systolic blood pressure (P<.001), body mass index (P =.007), and smoking (P =.02), and with adult systolic blood pressure (P<.001), body mass index (P<.001), and smoking (P =.004). The number of risk factors measured in 12- to 18-year-old adolescents, including high levels (ie, extreme age- and sex-specific 80th percentile) of LDL-C, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and cigarette smoking, were directly related to carotid IMT measured in young adults at ages 33 through 39 years (P<.001 for both men and women), and remained significant after adjustment for contemporaneous risk variables. The number of risk factors measured at ages 3 to 9 years demonstrated a weak direct relationship with carotid IMT at ages 24 to 30 years in men (P =.02) but not in women (P =.63). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factor profile assessed in 12- to 18-year-old adolescents predicts adult common carotid artery IMT independently of contemporaneous risk factors. These findings suggest that exposure to cardiovascular risk factors early in life may induce changes in arteries that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

Adolescent↗

Cardiovascular malformations and other cardiovascular abnormalities in neurofibromatosis 1.

Although it is well recognized that a peripheral vasculopathy may occur in patients with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), it is unclear whether cardiovascular abnormalities are more common. We reviewed the frequency of cardiovascular abnormalities, in particular, cardiovascular malformations (CVMs), among 2322 patients with definite NF1 in the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation International Database from 1991-98. Cardiovascular malformations were reported in 54/2322 (2.3%) of the NF1 patients, only 4 of whom had Watson syndrome or NF1-Noonan syndrome. There was a predominance of Class II "flow" defects [Clark, 1995: Moss and Adams' Heart Disease in Infants, Children, and Adolescents Including the Fetus and Young Adult. p 60-70] (43/54, 80%) among the NF1 patients with CVMs. Pulmonic stenosis, that was present in 25 NF1 patients, and aortic coarctation, that occurred in 5, constitute much larger proportions of all CVMs than expected. Of interest was the paucity of Class I conotruncal defects (2 patients with tetralogy of Fallot), and the absence of atrioventricular canal, anomalous pulmonary venous return, complex single ventricle and laterality defects. Besides the 54 patients with CVMs, there were 27 patients with other cardiac abnormalities (16 with murmur, 5 with mitral valve prolapse, 1 with intracardiac tumor, and 5 with electrocardiogram abnormalities). No patient in this study had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. There were 16 patients who had a peripheral vascular abnormality without an intracardiac CVM, plus an additional 4 patients among those with a CVM who also had a peripheral vascular abnormality.

Aortic Coarctation↗

[Cardiovascular risk factors and occupation: results of the health survey of the German Cardiovascular Prevention Study].

It is examined which occupation specific differences exist in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Federal Republic of Germany (old federal states). The following risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were considered: cigarette smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, low HDL-cholesterol, obesity, diabetes mellitus, lack of physical activity and Type-A behavior. Data basis are the national and regional health surveys, conducted in the framework of the German Cardiovascular Prevention Study between 1984 and 1991. 17,596 males and 17,403 females, aged 25-69 years, were included in the analysis. Occupations were coded according to the classification of the Germany Federal Statistical Office. With the exception of Type-A behavior it was found for all cardiovascular disease risk factors that higher prevalence rates exist for less qualified occupations. The differences in risk factor prevalence were strongest for obesity and lack of physical activity. Only minor differences were found for hypercholesterolemia. This analysis confirms the results of other studies that health related aspects in the lifestyles of the most qualified occupational groups (professionals, managers, engineers) are characterized by non-smoking, leisure-time physical activity and avoidance of overweight. Up to now, there are no hints that these lifestyles may be adopted from members of less qualified occupations as well.

Adult↗

[The metabolic syndrome in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Associations with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular morbidity].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Type 1 diabetes is known to be associated with increased cardiovascular disease in the presence of nephropathy and hypertension. It was the aim of the present study to elucidate whether or not clinical findings of metabolic syndrome (MS) are further increasing cardiovascular morbidity among type 1 diabetics. METHODS: In the present cross-sectional study, 1,241 type 1 diabetics were included. These patients attended the Diabetes Clinic Karlsburg, Germany, from February 1, 2002 to December 31, 2003. The presence of the following findings was taken into consideration as clinical features of MS in type 1 diabetes: fasting triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), body mass index (BMI), daily insulin requirement/kg body weight (b.w.), increased blood pressure > 130/85 mmHg, including overt arterial hypertension. In each of the five categories the highest quintile in each sample was assessed: TG 2.9 +/- 3.6 mmol/l, HDL-C 1.48 +/- 0.46 mmol/l, BMI 29.1 +/- 4.98 kg/m(2) height, insulin requirement 0.71 +/- 0.23 IU/kg b.w., systolic blood pressure 130 +/- 12.3 mmHg. MS was defined as the presence of at least three categories. Among 1,241 type 1 diabetics (651 men, 590 women), 226 patients (129 men, 97 women) fulfilled the criteria of MS. The risk of MS was assessed by multiple regression analysis. Risk variables were: age, diabetes duration, sex, glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)), actual smoking, neuropathy, albumin excretion rate (AER), regular alcohol consumption, retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), TGs, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), cholesterol, blood pressure increase, BMI, increased insulin requirement, and foot syndrome. After adjusting for age, the variables were separately included into the mathematical model. The risk of MS was assessed after excluding the variables defining MS. RESULTS: Type 1 diabetics with MS were characterized by higher age (46 vs. 36 years; p < 0.01), and longer diabetes duration (19 vs. 16 years; p < 0.01). The risk of MS was independently associated (odds ratios) with higher age (40-59 years; 4.21; p < 0.01), increased HbA(1c) (1.41; p < 0.01), PVD (2.28; p < 0.01), CHD (2.19; p < 0.01), and the foot syndrome (4.17; p < 0.01). There were no significant associations of MS with type 2 diabetes heredity (first and second degree). CONCLUSION: Patients with type 1 diabetes and the presence of findings of MS are suffering from increased cardiovascular morbidity. The risk of MS increases with the age and HbA(1c). Life style factors such as weight gain and muscular inactivity seem to have an influence on the pathogenesis of MS in type 1 diabetes, thereby increasing cardiovascular morbidity.

Adult↗

Diet and exercise are equally effective in reducing risk for cardiovascular disease. Results of a randomized controlled study in men with slightly to moderately raised cardiovascular risk factors.

To study the impact of diet and exercise and the combination thereof on cardiovascular risk factors, 157 healthy men aged 35-60 years (mean +/- S.D.; 46.2 +/- 5.0) with slightly to moderately raised cardiovascular risk factors, were randomized to 4 groups, diet (D, n = 40), exercise (E, n = 39), diet plus exercise (DE, n = 39), and no active intervention (controls (C, n = 39)), and investigated at baseline and after 6 months. BMI was significantly reduced in Groups E and DE (mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (CI), -0.3 (-0.5, -0.01) and -0.6 (-0.9, -0.3) kg/m2, respectively). Waist circumference was reduced in all 3 intervention groups (D, E, and DE), -1.3 (-2.5, -0.1), -2.2 (-3.2, -1.3) and -3.0 (-3.9, -2.0) cm, but not in the control group. Blood pressure (BP) was reduced in all 3 intervention groups, systolic BP 4-7 mmHg and diastolic BP 2-6 mmHg. Serum cholesterol was reduced in Group DE, -0.45 (-0.77, -0.13) mmol/l. VLDL-cholesterol was reduced in Groups E and DE, -0.14 (-0.26, -0.03) and -0.09 (-0.18, -0.01) mmol/l, whereas LDL-cholesterol was reduced in Groups D and DE -0.30 (-0.54, -0.06) and -0.35 (-0.64, -0.05) mmol/l. In contrast, neither HDL-cholesterol nor serum triglycerides were influenced by the interventions. According to the coronary risk profile derived from the Framingham study, all 3 intervention groups (D, E, and DE) significantly reduced their estimated 10-year risk (-13, -12, and -14%, respectively). We conclude that even with rather moderate changes in diet and exercise, several important cardiovascular risk factors can be affected and that diet and exercise were about equally effective in reducing cardiovascular risk.

Adult↗

Low serum albumin. Association with diabetes mellitus and other cardiovascular risk factors but not with prevalent cardiovascular disease or carotid artery intima-media thickness. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study Investigators.

We examined the association of serum albumin concentration with diabetes mellitus and other cardiovascular risk factors, prevalent cardiovascular disease, and ultrasonographically assessed carotid artery intima-media thickness using data from 45- to 64-year-old adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. The mean albumin concentration was 0.04 to 0.12 g/L lower in participants with diabetes and 0.02 to 0.06 g/L lower in those with cardiovascular disease, compared to participants without these conditions. However, lower serum albumin level was also correlated with most traditional risk factors and hemostatic variables. On adjustment for these, there was essentially no association between serum albumin and prevalent cardiovascular disease. Likewise, there was no association between albumin and carotid intima-media thickness (a marker of atherosclerosis). While hypoalbuminemia may be a marker for chronic disease and perhaps renal loss of albumin, it seems unlikely that it is an important cause of atherosclerosis.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Cardiovascular risk estimation by professionally active cardiovascular nurses: results from the Basel 2005 Nurses Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Nurses play a key role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and one would, therefore, expect them to have a heightened awareness of the need for systematic screening and their own CVD risk profile. The aim of this study was to examine personal awareness of CVD risk among a cohort of cardiovascular nurses attending a European conference. METHODS: Of the 340 delegates attending the 5th annual Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing (Basel, Switzerland, 2005), 287 (83%) completed a self-report questionnaire to assess their own risk factors for CVD. Delegates were also asked to give an estimation of their absolute total risk of experiencing a fatal CVD event in the next 10 years. Level of agreement between self-reported CVD risk estimation and their actual risk according to the SCORE risk assessment system was compared by calculating weighted Kappa (kappa(w)). RESULTS: Overall, 109 responders (38%) self-reported having either pre-existing CVD (only 2%), one or more markedly raised CVD risk factors, a high total risk of fatal CVD (> or =5% in 10 years) or a strong family history of CVD. About half of this cohort (53%) did not know their own total cholesterol level. Less than half (45%) reported having a 10-year risk of fatal CVD of <1%, while 13% reported having a risk > or =5%. Based on the SCORE risk function, the estimated 10-year risk of a fatal CVD event was <1% for 96% of responders: only 2% had a > or =5% risk of such an event. Overall, less than half (46%) of this cohort's self-reported CVD risk corresponded with that calculated using the SCORE risk function (kappa(w)=0.27). CONCLUSION: Most cardiovascular nurses attending a European conference in 2005 poorly understood their own CVD risk profile, and the agreement between their self-reported 10-year risk of a fatal CVD and their CVD risk using SCORE was only fair. Given the specialist nature of this conference, our findings clearly demonstrate a need to improve overall nursing awareness of the role and importance of systematic CVD risk assessment.

Adult↗

Cardiovascular risks in psychiatric disorders and psychiatric risks in cardiovascular disorders: implications for prevention and clinical management - a large-scale umbrella review encompassing 76 meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders often co-occur, complicating their assessment and management. No umbrella review(UR) has summarized the meta-analytic evidence on the co-occurrence of psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders and assessed its credibility. METHODS: Meta-analytic systematic reviews of observational studies documenting the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with the co-occurrence of cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders, indexed from inception through March.16.2026, and meeting established diagnostic criteria, were included. Meta-analytic association and prevalence estimates were recalculated and graded based on established or adapted criteria. The AMSTAR-2 assessed the quality of the meta-analyses, while several subgroup analyses and meta-regressions aimed to explain the heterogeneity. RESULTS: We included 76 meta-analyses yielding 131 meta-analytic estimates. Based on pre-existing meta-analytic evidence, 22/24 prevalence estimates (91.7%) met moderate/strong credibility criteria. Strong credibility emerged for: orthostatic hypotension in Lewy body(58%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;50-66%) and Alzheimer's dementias(28.0%&#xa0;=&#xa0;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;17.0-40.0%); pericardial effusion in anorexia nervosa(25.0%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;17.0-34.0%); in heart failure(HF): major depressive disorder(MDD)(41.9%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;36.7-47.1%), mild cognitive impairment(MCI)(41.4%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;38.3-45.6%), anxiety(32.0%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;26.5-37.6%), MDD&#xa0;+&#xa0;anxiety(24.7%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;17.9-34.3%), and dementia(19.8%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;12.9-27.8%); in atrial fibrillation(AF): MCI(26.0%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;21.0-30.0%), anxiety in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation(PVI)(25.0%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;12.0-46.0%), MDD in PVI patients (20.0%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;13.0-29.0%); in coronary artery disease: MDD&#xa0;+&#xa0;anxiety(19.8%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;16.0-24.6%): in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: clozapine-associated-cardiomyopathy(0.6%;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.2-2.3%); clozapine-associated-cardiomyopathy absolute death rates (0.0003;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.0001-0.0012); clozapine-associated-cardiomyopathy case fatality rate (0.078;95%C.I.&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.018-0.285). Several additional disorders were multimorbid in>5% of people, yet with a lower credibility rating. No re-pooled risk factors/outcomes reached strong credibility criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides an atlas of cardiovascular and psychiatric multimorbidity across varying levels of credibility, reinforcing the need for an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to patient care and for more research on actionable risk/protective factors and outcomes.

Humans↗

Cardiovascular disease, selected cardiovascular disease risk factors, and age-related cataracts: the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To examine the associations of cardiovascular disease and selected cardiovascular disease risk factors with the prevalence of age-related cataract. METHODS: We conducted a population-based prevalence study of adults aged 43 to 86 years (n = 4,926) in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. An ocular examination including lens photographs, medical history, height and weight measurement, blood testing, and photograph grading was performed according to standard protocols. RESULTS: Age and sex influenced most of the relationships between risk variables and cataract. Many relationships apparent in univariate analyses were not significant when controlling for confounders. In multivariate models, higher glycated hemoglobin was significantly and consistently associated with increased risk of nuclear cataract in women. For cortical cataract, higher serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with decreased risk in women. For posterior subcapsular cataract, men with higher ratios of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were at increased risk. History of cardiovascular disease was not associated with cataracts in persons with or without diabetes after controlling for additional risk indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Some risk factors for cardiovascular disease were associated with increased frequency of age-related lens opacities. Age and sex influenced these relationships but did not entirely explain them. Longitudinal follow-up is necessary to determine antecedent-consequent relationships that may suggest causal associations.

Adult↗

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor polymorphisms in the cardiovascular health study: relation to blood pressure, ethnicity, and cardiovascular events.

BACKGROUND: The angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C polymorphism has been associated with increased risks of hypertension and myocardial infarction in several small studies. We examined the association between this polymorphism and new-onset hypertension, blood pressure (BP) control, and incident cardiovascular events in a large population-based cohort of older adults. METHODS: Eight hundred self-identified African Americans and 1,371 randomly selected white participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study were genotyped. The median duration of follow-up was 8.1 years. RESULTS: The A1166C polymorphism was not associated with new-onset hypertension, with BP control, or with incident cardiovascular events in the overall population. In white participants, the CC genotype was associated with higher baseline systolic BP and pulse pressure, compared to the AC or AA genotype. In whites with treated hypertension at baseline, compared to the AA genotype, the CC genotype was associated with increased risks of incident congestive heart failure (hazard ratio = 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-4.9) and incident ischemic stroke (hazard ratio = 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.0). These associations were not observed among white participants without treated hypertension, but the interaction of genotype with treated hypertension on ischemic stroke and heart failure was only marginally significant. CONCLUSIONS: On the whole, in this large cohort of older adults, the A1166C polymorphism was not associated with BP control or incident cardiovascular events. The subgroup findings in treated hypertensives need to be confirmed in additional studies.

Aged↗

Epidemiology of coagulation factors, inhibitors and activation markers: The Third Glasgow MONICA Survey. II. Relationships to cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular disease.

Coagulation factor activity (fibrinogen, VII, VIII and IX), coagulation inhibitor activity (antithrombin, protein C, protein S), and coagulation activation markers (prothrombin fragment F1, 2; thrombin-antithrombin complexes) were measured in 746 men and 816 women aged 25-74 years, randomly sampled from the north Glasgow population in the Third MONICA Survey. After age-adjustment, significant associations with cardiovascular risk factors were observed. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride were associated with increases in factors VII and IX, as well as antithrombin, protein C and protein S; and with increased fibrinogen and factor VIII in women. Apart from factor VIII (related to blood pressure in men, but not in women), similar associations were observed for blood pressure and body mass index. Smoking status and/or smoking markers were related to fibrinogen, factor IX, antithrombin and protein S. Alcohol intake was related to protein S, and inversely to fibrinogen and antithrombin in men. Low social class was associated with fibrinogen, factor VIII, factor IX, and with antithrombin, protein S, and low protein C in men. Serum vitamin C was associated inversely with coagulation factors and coagulation inhibitors. The only associations of activation markers were with low serum vitamin C, and with alcohol consumption and low social class in men. Prevalent cardiovascular disease was associated only with fibrinogen. These associations of coagulation factors and inhibitors with cardiovascular risk factors are plausibly relevant to thrombotic risk in cardiovascular disease. In general, 'worse' values of risk factors are associated with increased plasma levels of both coagulation factors and inhibitors, without significant increase in coagulation activation markers. However, the association of lower serum vitamin C with increased coagulation activation markers is of potential therapeutic interest.

Adult↗

Secular trends in social patterning of cardiovascular risk factor levels in Sweden. The Northern Sweden MONICA Study 1986-1994. Multinational Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease.

OBJECTIVES: In the Northern Sweden MONICA Study, levels of cardiovascular risk factors were determined in 1986, 1990 and 1994. The aim of this study was to assess the trends in cardiovascular risk factors, and to analyse the relationship between levels of risk factors and level of education. DESIGN: Cardiovascular risk factors were determined in cross-sectional population studies of randomly selected 25-64 year old men and women in 1986, 1990 and 1994 (a total of 4742 individuals). RESULTS: Throughout the years 1986 to 1994, cardiovascular risk factor levels showed a marked social pattern, generally being more favourable among people with a university education. Serum cholesterol levels declined in all educational groups, but blood pressure declined significantly only in women with a university education. Body mass index increased, most markedly in men with university and in women with a secondary school education. Prevalence of cigarette smoking decreased significantly in young men. It increased markedly in low-educated women so that the social gaps in smoking widened substantially over time. The improved level of education in the population at large was calculated to explain only a little of the risk factor changes between 1986 and 1994. CONCLUSIONS: Trends in risk factor levels in different educational groups have been more diverging for women than for men. The most marked change in risk factor levels has been the decline in total serum cholesterol for both men and women in all educational groups.

Adult↗

Cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality: exploring the interaction between CKD and cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Concurrently, CVD may promote CKD, resulting in a vicious cycle. We evaluated this hypothesis by exploring whether CKD and CVD have an additive or synergistic effect on future cardiovascular and mortality outcomes. METHODS: Patients were pooled from 4 community-based studies: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, Framingham Heart, Framingham Offspring, and Cardiovascular Health Study. CKD is defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (<1 mL/s/1.73 m(2)). Baseline CVD included myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack, claudication, heart failure, and coronary revascularization. The primary outcome is a composite of cardiac events, stroke, and death. Secondary outcomes included individual components. Multivariable analyses using Cox regression examined differences in study outcomes. The interaction of CKD and CVD was tested. RESULTS: The study population included 26,147 individuals. During 10 years, 4% (n = 2,927) of individuals with no CKD or CVD developed the primary outcome, 33% (n = 518) with only CKD, 37% (n = 1,260) with only CVD, and 66% (n = 459) with both. Both CKD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 1.35; P < 0.0001) and CVD (HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.72 to 1.95; P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors for the primary outcome. The interaction term CKD x CVD was not statistically significant (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.13; P = 0.74). Similar results were obtained for secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: CKD and CVD are both strong independent risk factors for adverse cardiovascular and mortality outcomes in the general population. Although individuals with both risk factors are at extremely high risk, there does not appear to be a synergistic effect of CKD and CVD on outcomes.

Aged↗

Impaired fasting glycaemia resembles impaired glucose tolerance with regard to cardiovascular risk factors: population-based, cross-sectional study of risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

AIMS: To compare subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose in relation to risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. METHODS: A total of 1374 patients (678 female, 696 male) listed with a general practice clinic in Denmark were given an oral glucose tolerance test, a physical examination, and a self-administered questionnaire. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease were assessed for 90 participants (48 female, 42 male) with impaired glucose tolerance (including 12 subjects (1 female and 11 male), who also fulfilled criteria for impaired fasting glycaemia) and 51 subjects (20 female, 31 male) with impaired fasting glycaemia (World Health Organization 1999 criteria). RESULTS: There were no statistical differences with regard to known risk factors for cardiovascular disease between participants with isolated impaired fasting glycaemia and those with impaired glucose tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: We found noticeable similarities in the cardiovascular risk factor profile in subjects with impaired fasting glycaemia and in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance in our population. When planning screening initiatives, it seems relevant to take into account people with impaired fasting glycaemia as well as those with impaired glucose tolerance.

Adult↗