TY - CHAP
T1 - Cholesterol, lipids and arterial stiffness
AU - Wilkinson, Ian
AU - Cockcroft, John R.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Arterial stiffness and pulse pressure are important determinants of cardiovascular risk. Patients with hypercholesterolaemia have a higher central pulse pressure and stiffer blood vessels than matched controls, despite similar peripheral blood pressures. These haemodynamic changes may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with hypercholesterolaemia and their assessment may improve risk stratification. Lipid-lowering therapy, particularly with statins, generally leads to a reduction in arterial stiffness, re-enforcing the concept that stiffness is a modifiable parameter and risk factor. There are a number of potential mechanisms linking arterial stiffness and plasma lipids, including atherosclerosis, changes in the elastic elements of the arterial wall, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. This review will focus on the current evidence linking cholesterol to larger artery stiffening, potential therapies and mechanisms.
AB - Arterial stiffness and pulse pressure are important determinants of cardiovascular risk. Patients with hypercholesterolaemia have a higher central pulse pressure and stiffer blood vessels than matched controls, despite similar peripheral blood pressures. These haemodynamic changes may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with hypercholesterolaemia and their assessment may improve risk stratification. Lipid-lowering therapy, particularly with statins, generally leads to a reduction in arterial stiffness, re-enforcing the concept that stiffness is a modifiable parameter and risk factor. There are a number of potential mechanisms linking arterial stiffness and plasma lipids, including atherosclerosis, changes in the elastic elements of the arterial wall, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. This review will focus on the current evidence linking cholesterol to larger artery stiffening, potential therapies and mechanisms.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33751105225&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1159/000096747
DO - 10.1159/000096747
M3 - Chapter
C2 - 17075215
AN - SCOPUS:33751105225
SN - 3805581769
SN - 9783805581769
VL - 44
T3 - Advances in Cardiology
SP - 261
EP - 277
BT - Atherosclerosis, Large Arteries and Cardiovascular Risk
ER -