Cardiopatía isquémica
- Carbonell San Román, A.
- Segura de la Cal, T.
- Zamorano Gómez, José Luis
ISSN: 0304-5412
Year of publication: 2013
Issue Title: Enfermedades cardiovasculares (II)
Series: 11
Issue: 36
Pages: 2179-2187
Type: Article
More publications in: Medicine: Programa de Formación Médica Continuada Acreditado
Abstract
Ischaemic heart disease occurs as a consequence of a lack of oxygen supply of the myocardium. It is the first cause of death in developed countries, with a huge demographic and social impact. The most common cause of ischaemic heart disease is atheroesclerosis of epicardic coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory reaction with formation of colesterol-rich plaques, being endotelial dysfunction its underlying cause. Cardiovascular risk factors are individual characteristics which increase the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease; the main cardiovascular risk factors for atherosclerotic disease are age, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia. It is crucial to obtain an adequate control of these risk factor in order to prevent cardiovascular events, and once the disease has developed, improve its prognosis.