scholarly journals Sex Differences in the Developmental Origins of Cardiovascular Disease

Physiology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suttira Intapad ◽  
Norma B. Ojeda ◽  
John Henry Dasinger ◽  
Barbara T. Alexander

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) proposes that adverse events during early life program an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Experimental models provide proof of concept but also indicate that insults during early life program sex differences in adult blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. This review will highlight the potential mechanisms that contribute to the etiology of sex differences in the developmental programming of cardiovascular disease.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-199
Author(s):  
Ageliki A. Karatza ◽  
Gabriel Dimitriou

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder which affects 2%-8% of all gestations and is associated with high maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is no “cure” for the disease except for early delivery of the fetus and placenta, however leaving preeclampsia a long term health risk both for mothers and infants. Aim: The aim of the study is to review currently available information linking preclampsia to longterm cardiovascular complications in infants and children. Results: Currently, there is evidence of predisposition to cardiovascular disease, and a higher incidence of cardiovascular risk factors among children born to preeclamptic mothers. Both in experimental models and human epidemiological studies it is now clear that the infants of pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure and double the risk of stroke in later life. Preeclampsia is consistently associated with higher blood pressure and body mass index as early as 4–10 years of age. Also there is some evidence of higher cardiovascular risk in adults exposed to maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. It seems that preeclampsia has an impact on the cardiovascular system independent of preterm birth and is associated with endothelial dysfunction, increased carotid intima media thickness and reductions in cardiac function that cannot be accounted for by prematurity alone. Conclusion: Taking into consideration the currently available evidence, it can now be suggested that preeclampsia is linked to adverse effects on the cardiometabolic health of the infant. Understanding the relationship between preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease will allow for implementation of early interventions to prevent or delay the onset of adverse events in this high risk population.


2006 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenora M Camarate S M Leão ◽  
Mônica Peres C Duarte ◽  
Dalva Margareth B Silva ◽  
Paulo Roberto V Bahia ◽  
Cláudia Medina Coeli ◽  
...  

Background: There has been a growing interest in treating postmenopausal women with androgens. However, hyperandrogenemia in females has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Objective: We aimed to assess the effects of androgen replacement on cardiovascular risk factors. Design: Thirty-seven postmenopausal women aged 42–62 years that had undergone hysterectomy were prospectively enrolled in a double-blind protocol to receive, for 12 months, percutaneous estradiol (E2) (1 mg/day) combined with either methyltestosterone (MT) (1.25 mg/day) or placebo. Methods: Along with treatment, we evaluated serum E2, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index, lipids, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein; glucose tolerance; insulin resistance; blood pressure; body-mass index; and visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat mass as assessed by computed tomography. Results: A significant reduction in SHBG (P < 0.001) and increase in free testosterone index (P < 0.05; Repeated measures analysis of variance) were seen in the MT group. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lowered to a similar extent by both regimens, but high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased only in the androgen group. MT-treated women showed a modest rise in body weight and gained visceral fat mass relative to the other group (P < 0.05), but there were no significant detrimental effects on fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance. Conclusion: This study suggests that the combination of low-dose oral MT and percutaneous E2, for 1 year, does not result in expressive increase of cardiovascular risk factors. This regimen can be recommended for symptomatic postmenopausal women, although it seems prudent to perform baseline and follow-up lipid profile and assessment of body composition, especially in those at high risk of cardiovascular disease.


Author(s):  
Fiona Lynch ◽  
Sharon Lewis ◽  
Ivan Macciocca ◽  
Jeffrey M. Craig

Abstract Epigenetics is likely to play a role in the mediation of the effects of genes and environment in risk for many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory presents unique opportunities regarding the possibility of early life interventions to alter the epigenetic makeup of an individual, thereby modifying their risk for a variety of NCDs. While it is important to determine how we can lower the risk of these NCDs, it is equally important to understand how the public’s knowledge and opinion of DOHaD and epigenetic concepts may influence their willingness to undertake such interventions for themselves and their children. In this review, we provide an overview of epigenetics, DOHaD, NCDs, and the links between them. We explore the issues surrounding using epigenetics to identify those at increased risk of NCDs, including the concept of predictive testing of children. We also outline what is currently understood about the public’s understanding and opinion of epigenetics, DOHaD, and their relation to NCDs. In doing so, we demonstrate that it is essential that future research explores the public’s awareness and understanding of epigenetics and epigenetic concepts. This will provide much-needed information which will prepare health professionals for the introduction of epigenetic testing into future healthcare.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitor M Rocha ◽  
Maria Guadalupe B Pippa

Backgroung: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease, that appear to be responsible for 50% of mortality for thrombotic events such as Myocardial Infarction (MI) and Ischemic Stroke (SI) in RA patients. Occur approximately a decade earlier in these patients compared with the normal population. Objectives: To determine the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis according to the classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. Methods: To assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases we studied 78 patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. For this we used the criteria of the risk score of Acute Coronary Disease in 10 years according to the Framingham Heart Study. A control group consisted of 21 patients with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia was also assessed using the same criteria, where age, sex, systolic blood pressure values, total cholesterol, cholesterol HDL, presence of smoking and diagnosis of diabetes, were scored. Results: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis had a mean disease duration of 12.8 years (SD=7.4), age 58.6 years (SD=10.3) and the control group 59.3 years (SD=10,0). The old values of total cholesterol, HDL, blood pressure and being with Diabetes Mellitus showed positive correlations with the Cardiovascular Risk, and Blood Pressure in the index this correlation was stronger (r=+0.593) in Rheumatoid Arthritis and age (r=+0.702) in the control group. The Global Cardiovascular Risk in each group were considered low (7,8 points to Rematoid Artrhrits and 9,3 points to the control group). Conclusion: The results showed no increased risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to control group. Remember that control group fact be constituted by a larger number of diabetics, which likely impact these results.


Heart ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (16) ◽  
pp. 1273-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Benschop ◽  
Johannes J Duvekot ◽  
Jeanine E Roeters van Lennep

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), such as gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, affect up to 10% of all pregnancies. These women have on average a twofold higher risk to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life as compared with women with normotensive pregnancies. This increased risk might result from an underlying predisposition to CVD, HDP itself or a combination of both. After pregnancy women with HDP show an increased risk of classical cardiovascular risk factors including chronic hypertension, renal dysfunction, dyslipidemia, diabetes and subclinical atherosclerosis. The prevalence and onset of cardiovascular risk factors depends on the severity of the HDP and the coexistence of other pregnancy complications. At present, guidelines addressing postpartum cardiovascular risk assessment for women with HDP show a wide variation in their recommendations. This makes cardiovascular follow-up of women with a previous HDP confusing and non-coherent. Some guidelines advise to initiate cardiovascular follow-up (blood pressure, weight and lifestyle assessment) 6–8 weeks after pregnancy, whereas others recommend to start 6–12 months after pregnancy. Concurrent blood pressure monitoring, lipid and glucose assessment is recommended to be repeated annually to every 5 years until the age of 50 years when women will qualify for cardiovascular risk assessment according to all international cardiovascular prevention guidelines.


2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (8) ◽  
pp. 769-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria U. Nguyen ◽  
Megan J. Wallace ◽  
Salvatore Pepe ◽  
Trevelyan R. Menheniott ◽  
Timothy J. Moss ◽  
...  

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Traditional risk factors account for only part of the attributable risk. The origins of atherosclerosis are in early life, a potential albeit largely unrecognized window of opportunity for early detection and treatment of subclinical cardiovascular disease. There are robust epidemiological data indicating that poor intrauterine growth and/or prematurity, and perinatal factors such as maternal hypercholesterolaemia, smoking, diabetes and obesity, are associated with adverse cardiovascular intermediate phenotypes in childhood and adulthood. Many of these early-life risk factors result in a heightened inflammatory state. Inflammation is a central mechanism in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, but few studies have investigated the role of overt perinatal infection and inflammation (chorioamnionitis) as a potential contributor to cardiovascular risk. Limited evidence from human and experimental models suggests an association between chorioamnionitis and cardiac and vascular dysfunction. Early life inflammatory events may be an important mechanism in the early development of cardiovascular risk and may provide insights into the associations between perinatal factors and adult cardiovascular disease. This review aims to summarise current data on the early life origins of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, with particular focus on perinatal inflammation.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e038013
Author(s):  
Braden O’Neill ◽  
Sumeet Kalia ◽  
Babak Aliarzadeh ◽  
Frank Sullivan ◽  
Rahim Moineddin ◽  
...  

ObjectivesIn order to address the substantial increased risk of cardiovascular disease among people with schizophrenia, it is necessary to identify the factors responsible for some of that increased risk. We analysed the extent to which these risk factors were documented in primary care electronic medical records (EMR), and compared their documentation by patient and provider characteristics.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingEMR database of the University of Toronto Practice-Based Research Network Data Safe Haven.Participants197 129 adults between 40 and 75 years of age; 4882 with schizophrenia and 192 427 without.Primary and secondary outcome measuresDocumentation of cardiovascular disease risk factors (age, sex, smoking history, presence of diabetes, blood pressure, whether a patient is currently on medication to reduce blood pressure, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol).ResultsDocumentation of cardiovascular risk factors was more complete among people with schizophrenia (74.5% of whom had blood pressure documented at least once in the last 2 years vs 67.3% of those without, p>0.0001). Smoking status was not documented in 19.8% of those with schizophrenia and 20.8% of those without (p=0.0843). Factors associated with improved documentation included older patients (OR for ages 70–75 vs 45–49=3.51, 95% CI 3.26 to 3.78), male patients (OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.45), patients cared for by a female provider (OR=1.52, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.07) and increased number of encounters (OR for ≥10 visits vs 3–5 visits=1.53, 95% CI 1.46 to 1.60).ConclusionsDocumentation of cardiovascular risk factors was better among people with schizophrenia than without, although overall documentation was inadequate. Efforts to improve documentation of risk factors are warranted in order to facilitate improved management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 186-192
Author(s):  
Hamideh Yaghoobi ◽  
Sahar Mohammadi ◽  
Samaneh Sardashti ◽  
Seddigheh Abbaspour ◽  
Tahere Sarboozi Hossein-Abadi

Background: People with low-mobility are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) are less interested in participating in exercise activities due to the nature of the disease. Regular exercise and physical activity can play protective roles against heart disease by reducing risk factors. This study aimed to compare the effects of aerobic and resistance training on cardiovascular risk factors in women with PD. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 45 women with PD who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: aerobic, resistance groups, and control group. Before and after training sessions, variables of weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), heart rate at rest state, maximum oxygen consumption, blood pressure, and lipid profiles of participants were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21 and Paired Sample t-test, ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test. A significant level of P≤0.05 was considered. Results: Demographics of physiological characteristics of subjects was congruent in all three groups in the baseline. After aerobic and resistance training, levels of triglyceride, LDL, total cholesterol, fat percentage, resting heart rate, weight, BMI and systolic blood pressure were significantly decreased (p<0.05). This change was more pronounced in the aerobic group; in contrast, variables of maximum oxygen consumption and HDL were meaningfully increased in participants of both experimental groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that both types of aerobic and resistance training can reduce the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in women with PD, while the effect of aerobic training on reducing risk factors was more than resistance training.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirin B. Haug ◽  
Amanda R. Markovitz ◽  
Abigail Fraser ◽  
Håvard Dalen ◽  
Pål R. Romundstad ◽  
...  

AbstractA history of preterm or small (SGA) or large (LGA) for gestational age offspring is associated with smoking and unfavorable levels of BMI, blood pressure, glucose and lipids. Whether and to what extent the excess cardiovascular risk observed in women with these pregnancy complications is explained by conventional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) is not known. We examined the association between a history of SGA, LGA or preterm birth and cardiovascular disease among 23,284 parous women and quantified the contribution of individual CVRFs to the excess cardiovascular risk using an inverse odds weighting approach. The hazard ratios (HR) between SGA and LGA offspring and CVD were 1.30 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15, 1.48) and 0.89 (95% CI 0.76, 1.03), respectively. Smoking explained 49% and blood pressure may have explained ≈12% of the excess cardiovascular risk in women with SGA offspring. Women with preterm birth had a 24% increased risk of CVD (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.06, 1.45), but we found no evidence for CVRFs explaining any of this excess cardiovascular risk. While smoking explains a substantial proportion of excess cardiovascular risk in women with SGA offspring and blood pressure may explain a small proportion in these women, we found no evidence that conventional CVRFs explain any of the excess cardiovascular risk in women with preterm birth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1-2 (33-34) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
І. Dunaieva ◽  
◽  
N. Kravchun ◽  

Context. In a pandemic caused by a coronavirus infection, a special risk group are the patients with cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in particular, which are the most common risk groups among the general population. The spread of coronavirus disease is particularly dangerous in terms of decompensation of chronic complications, specific damage to the cardiovascular system, especially in cases of severe infection and high risk of adverse outcomes in the above cohort of patients. The combination of coronavirus disease and cardiovascular disease poses additional difficulties in diagnosing, identifying, and prescribing appropriate therapy, including antihypertensive therapy. Therefore, it is important to address the possible risks and complications in people with hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the conditions of coronavirus disease COVID-19 and the features of the antihypertensive therapy prescription. Objective. To investigate the peculiarities of treatment of patients with arterial hypertension in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, to analyze possible risks and complications based on the results of studying the literature. Materials and methods. Content analysis, methods of systemic and comparative results, as well as bibliosemantic evaluation of current research in the literature on the prescription of antihypertensive therapy in patients with hypertension and diabetes in the conditions of coronavirus COVID-19 were used. Sources of information were searched in scientometric medical databases, namely PubMedNCBI, Medline, Web of Science and Google Scholar, etc. by keywords: diabetes, hypertension, antihypertensive therapy, COVID-19, complications, cardiovascular risk. 174 scientific works in English, Ukrainian and Russian were analyzed and sources were selected, which contain questions about the risks of patients with hypertension and diabetes in the conditions of coronavirus disease, including those related to the appointment of antihypertensive therapy. Results. RAAS inhibitors, which provide better blood pressure control, may partially help to maintain the immune system imbalance in hypertension. In patients with hypertension during a viral infection, blood pressure levels and cardiovascular risk should be monitored. Conclusions. Constant monitoring of hemodynamic parameters, ECG and ECHO-CG – should be under the control according to the indications. The association of RAAS blockers (ACE inhibitors and ARBs) with an increased risk of infection in patients and worsening of COVID-19 has not been established so far, so patients with CVD should continue to take them. Patients who have survived coronavirus disease should be included in the medical rehabilitation programs for faster and better recovery of various systems, primarily respiratory and cardiovascular, as well as to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of disability.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document