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Cardiovascular Diseases and Healthy Aging

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (3 April 2023) | Viewed by 19990

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Dr. Beatriz Garcia-Fontana

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Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA) Av. Madrid 15, 18012, Granada, Spain
Interests: biomarkers; cardiovascular disease; bone metabolism; type 2 diabetes; rare bone diseases; metabolomics; transcriptomic; proteomic

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide representing 30% of the deaths registered. Atherosclerosis is the main mechanism of cardiovascular diseases and it has a multifactorial and complex origin composed of numerous classic cardiovascular risk factors and other underlying factors that are yet to be determined. Cardiovascular diseases are closely linked to aging, leading in many cases to a great reduction in the quality of life and a significantly increased disability of the affected people. Preventive interventions are essential to reduce cardiovascular diseases since it can often largely be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. Likewise, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in vascular aging, the search for biomarkers for diagnosis, monitoring of evolution and prognosis, and new therapeutic targets, constitute key issues for decreasing the incidence of cardiovascular events in the aging population. In this context, epidemiological, clinical, bioinformatics, and basic and intervention studies that advance our knowledge of the signaling pathways related to the cardiovascular diseases are invited for this Special Issue, especially those with a translational focus. These approaches can lead to the development of early diagnostic tools, as well as possible preventive and therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular complications in subclinical stages, which translates into a significant improvement in the survival and quality of life of the population at high cardiovascular risk, thus, contributing to the healthy aging of these patients.

Dr. Beatriz Garcia-Fontana
Guest Editor

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Keywords

biomarkers
therapeutic targets, prevention
diagnosis
vascular calcification
vascular aging
atherosclerosis
cardiovascular risk factors
signaling pathways

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1316 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sedentary Behaviour and Its Relationship with Early Vascular Ageing in the General Spanish Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Inés Llamas-Ramos, Rocío Llamas-Ramos, Rosario Alonso-Domínguez, Leticia Gómez-Sánchez, Olaya Tamayo-Morales, Cristina Lugones-Sánchez, Emiliano Rodríguez-Sánchez, Luis García-Ortiz and Manuel A. Gómez-Marcos

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5450; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095450 - 29 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2279

Abstract

Sedentary behaviour is associated with a greater predisposition to developing cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between sedentary time and early vascular ageing. A total of 501 participants (49.70% men) were recruited through random sampling stratified by age group and sex. Vascular ageing was evaluated considering three criteria: (1) the vascular ageing index (VAI); (2) the carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) 10th and 90th percentiles of the reference values in the European population by age; and (3) the Framingham’s heart age. The carotid intima–media thickness was measured using a Sonosite Micromaxx ultrasound, the presence of peripheral artery disease was assessed by calculating the ankle–brachial index using a VaSera VS-1500, and the cfPWV was measured with a SphygmoCor^® device. Weekly sedentary hours were evaluated through a sitting time questionnaire. The average age of the population was 55.90 ± 14.24 years. The men spent more hours sitting per week (47.6 ± 16.6 vs. 36.8 ± 17.3 h/W), at work (16.7 ± 16.2 vs. 9.73 ± 14.9 h/W), and watching TV (21.6 ± 12.5 vs. 18.7 ± 11.9 h/W). In the logistic regression analysis, the individuals with early vascular aging (EVA), with respect to those with healthy vascular aging (HVA), spent more hours sitting per week (OR = 1.03 vs. OR = 1.02; p < 0.05) and watching TV (OR = 1.03 vs. OR = 1.03; p < 0.05), using the criteria of the European guideline and VAI, and more hours sitting when commuting (OR = 1.04; p < 0.05), using Framingham’s heart age to define EVA. The results of this study indicate that sedentary time is associated with early vascular ageing. Therefore, reducing sedentary time would improve vascular health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular Diseases and Healthy Aging)

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11 pages, 413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Negative Correlation of Serum Adiponectin Level with Aortic Stiffness in Elderly Diabetic Persons

by Jui-Jung Hung, Du-An Wu, Ming-Chun Chen and Bang-Gee Hsu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 3062; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053062 - 5 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1669

Abstract

Adiponectin has anti-inflammatory activity against atherosclerosis. Aortic stiffness is a common manifestation of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus and elderly persons. This study aimed to evaluate whether low serum adiponectin levels were associated with aortic stiffness in geriatric diabetic patients. Blood samples were obtained from 130 diabetic participants aged ≥ 65 years. We defined high aortic stiffness based on a carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) of >10 m/s. Circulating adiponectin concentrations were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Sixty-six participants (50.8%) had aortic stiffness. Patients with aortic stiffness had lower serum adiponectin concentrations than those in the control group (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the adiponectin level (odds ratio: 0.939, 95% confidence interval: 0.898–0.981, p = 0.005) was an independent predictor of aortic stiffness in elderly diabetic persons. Multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis also demonstrated that the adiponectin level (β = −0.256, adjusted R² change = 0.100, p = 0.003) was negatively associated with cfPWV values in older diabetic patients. In conclusion, serum adiponectin is negatively correlated with cfPWV and is an independent predictor of aortic stiffness in elderly diabetic persons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular Diseases and Healthy Aging)

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13 pages, 955 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Global Gender Disparities in Premature Death from Cardiovascular Disease, and Their Associations with Country Capacity for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control

by Ji Zhang, Yinzi Jin, Peng Jia, Na Li and Zhi-Jie Zheng

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10389; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910389 - 2 Oct 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2930

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of gender disparity in cardiovascular disease and explore its association with a country’s capacity for controlling noncommunicable diseases. Study data were extracted from the Global Health Estimates, and the Noncommunicable Disease Country Capacity Survey. Age-standardized premature death rates from cardiovascular disease, defined as any death occurring from ages 30 to 70 years, were calculated. Univariate and multivariate general linear regression models were fitted to estimate the correlations between gender disparity and country capacity for noncommunicable disease control. Globally, the premature death rate from cardiovascular diseases was 35.6% higher among men than women in 2000, and the figure hardly changed from 2000 to 2016. The highest gender differences were observed in Europe and high-income countries. The existence of dedicated and multisectoral noncommunicable disease governance bodies and the availability of cardiovascular disease stratification in primary healthcare facilities were positively correlated with gender differences. Conclusively, gender disparities in premature death rates from cardiovascular diseases differed with economic conditions and across geographic regions, with higher relative differences observed in more developed countries. The effects of existing control measures may have plateaued in men but are ongoing among women, especially in more developed countries, widening the gender disparity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular Diseases and Healthy Aging)

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15 pages, 342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Reported Modifiable Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease among Older Adults in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Prevalence and Clustering

by Ying Ying Chan, Norhafizah Sahril, Muhammad Solihin Rezali, Lim Kuang Kuay, Azli Baharudin, Mohamad Aznuddin Abd Razak, Mohd Shaiful Azlan Kassim, Muhammad Fadhli Mohd Yusoff, Mohd Azahadi Omar and Noor Ani Ahmad

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7941; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157941 - 27 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3973

Abstract

The co-occurrence of multiple modifiable risk factors increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity or mortality. This study examines the prevalence and clustering of self-reported modifiable CVD risk factors among older adults in Malaysia. A total of 7117 adults aged ≥50 years participated in the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2018: Elderly Health, a community-based cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using a standardized structured questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with the clustering of self-reported modifiable CVD risk factors. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, overweight/obesity, and current smoking was 23.3%, 42.2%, 35.6%, 58.4%, and 17.5%, respectively. Overall, the prevalence of clustering of ≥1, ≥2, and ≥3 modifiable CVD risk factors was 83.3%, 75.4%, and 62.6%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that men, 60–69 age group, urban dwellers, having no formal education, unemployed/retirees/homemakers, and being physically inactive were independently associated with self-reported modifiable CVD risk factors clustering. There are also ethnic differences in self-reported modifiable CVD risk factors clustering. Our findings underscore the necessity of targeted interventions and integrated strategies for early detection and treatment of modifiable CVD risk factors among older adults, considering age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular Diseases and Healthy Aging)

11 pages, 1037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deep Venous Thrombosis and Risk of Consequent Sepsis Event: A Retrospective Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

by Ying-Tung Yeh, Sheng-En Tsai, Ying-Cheng Chen, Shun-Fa Yang, Han-Wei Yeh, Bo-Yuan Wang, Liang-Tsai Yeh, Nai-Chen Shih, Yu-Hsun Wang, Yin-Yang Chen and Chao-Bin Yeh

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7879; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157879 - 25 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3462

Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis causes several acute and chronic vessel complications and puts patients at risk of subsequent sepsis development. This unique study aimed to estimate the risk of sepsis development in DVT patients compared with non-DVT patients. This population-based cohort study used records of a longitudinal health insurance database containing two million patients defined in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Our study included patients aged over 20 years with a new diagnosis of DVT with at least two outpatient department visits or an admission between 2001 and 2014. Patients with a diagnosis of sepsis before the index date were excluded. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to homogenize the baseline characteristics between the two groups. To define the independent risk of the DVT group, a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratios. After PSM, the DVT group (n = 5753) exhibited a higher risk of sepsis (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.59–1.90) compared with non-DVT group (n = 5753). Patients with an increased risk of sepsis were associated with being elderly aged, male, having diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, malignancy, and use of antibiotics. In conclusion, this population-based cohort study demonstrated an increased risk of sepsis in DVT patients compared with non-DVT patients. Thus, early prevention and adequate treatment of DVT is necessary in clinical practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular Diseases and Healthy Aging)

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15 pages, 941 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Cardiovascular Diseases Significantly Influence Healthy Aging?

by Simona-Andreea Apostu, Valentina Vasile and Valentin Sava

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(14), 7226; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147226 - 6 Jul 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2605

Abstract

Population development is reflected by sustainable development indicators, among them are the indicators describing longevity and healthy aging. Longevity is reflected by life expectancy, and healthy aging is reflected by healthy life expectancy; high values of these indicators reflect good conditions of living for people. Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy analyses are of big interest among academics, policymakers, medical researchers, and others in order to direct the flow of funds in the most effective way possible to the population groups in most need. High life expectancy and low birth rate will lead to aging of the population, having profound implications on the school age population, politics, healthcare, labor force, social protection, social security issues, and public finances. Healthy life expectancy reflects health conditions, including the impacts of mortality and morbidity. As cardiovascular disease causes more than half of all deaths across Europe, this paper examines the influence of cardiovascular disease on longevity and healthy aging across Europe. The methodology was chosen so as to test the research hypotheses: (a) principal component analysis provided the socio-economic factors that are correlated to longevity and healthy aging; (b) regression analysis identified the relationship between healthy aging and cardiovascular disease; and (c) hierarchical cluster analysis allowed us to find common features of the groups of countries according to healthy aging and longevity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular Diseases and Healthy Aging)

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Review

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14 pages, 542 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring the Role of Sclerostin as a Biomarker of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality: A Scoping Review

by Raquel Sanabria-de la Torre, Sheila González-Salvatierra, Cristina García-Fontana, Francisco Andújar-Vera, Beatriz García-Fontana, Manuel Muñoz-Torres and Blanca Riquelme-Gallego

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15981; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315981 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1857

Abstract

Sclerostin is most recognized for its role in controlling bone formation; however, it is also expressed in the heart, aorta, coronary, and peripheral arteries. Human studies have associated high circulating sclerostin levels with the presence of different cardiovascular diseases (CVD), surrogate CVD markers, and a high risk of cardiovascular events in some populations. However, this is still a matter of scientific debate, as the results have been very heterogeneous among studies. In the present review, the association between serum sclerostin levels and CVD and/or cardiovascular mortality was analyzed. For this purpose, a scoping review was performed in which articles measuring serum sclerostin levels and cardiovascular risk in patients were selected. Eleven articles answered the research question; of these articles, 8/11 evaluated the association between sclerostin and CVD, of which 4/8 found a positive association, 2/8 found a negative association, and 2/8 found no association between variables. Five (5/11) of the articles included in the study evaluated cardiovascular mortality, of which 3/5 found a positive association, 1/5 found a negative association, and 1/5 found no association between variables. In conclusion, we did not find sufficient results to be able to demonstrate an association between elevated sclerostin levels and the development of CVD and/or cardiovascular mortality in the general population due to heterogeneity in the results. However, there seems to be a tendency to consider increased sclerostin levels as a risk factor for both the development of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in specific populations. Further studies in this field will help to solve some of the inconsistencies found during this scoping review and allow for the future use of sclerostin measurement as a strategy in the prevention and diagnosis of CVD and/or cardiovascular mortality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cardiovascular Diseases and Healthy Aging)

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