Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease | MedStar Health

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Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)

Inflammation is part of the body’s natural response to an illness or injury. Scientists have known for decades that inflammation also plays a critical role in the development of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) which affects an estimated 26 million Americans. ASCVD is a condition where the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to the buildup of plaque. Chronic inflammation irritates the blood vessels, and it can stimulate the growth of plaque deposits. When these plaques loosen, blood clots can then travel through the bloodstream which are the primary cause of the reported 800,000 heart attacks and 795,000 strokes in the U.S. each year.

Prolonged Inflammation can also cause heart failure and cardiomyopathy where the heart is weakened and unable to pump blood effectively throughout the body.

Symptoms of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)

Plaque deposits build up over time so at the early stage of this disease you may not have any symptoms. Symptoms of moderate to severe of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease include:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Confusion if the blockage affects blood flow to the brain
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness in your legs

Symptoms of Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy

When your heart is having difficulty pumping blood, you may experience:

  • Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat

  • Coughing

  • Dizziness or fainting

  • Fatigue

  • Palpitations, or sensations of a racing heart or fluttering in your chest.

  • Swelling in your feet, legs, or abdomen.

 

Causes of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)

The exact cause is unknown, but damage to the inner lining of the artery may lead to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Medical conditions that cause this damage include:


Causes of Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy

Medical conditions that cause heart failure and cardiomyopathy include:



Prevention

Certain lifestyle choices can contribute to inflammation. Actions to prevent inflammation include:

  • Avoid a diet that includes ultra processed foods, saturated fats, and an elevated level of sugar.
  • Quit smoking which damages blood vessels and is a trigger for inflammation.
  • Manage stress.
  • Increase your physical activity. 

Tests

C-Reactive Protein test

A high sensitivity C-reactive protein test (hs-CRP) measures the levels of CRP in the blood and, along with cholesterol testing, is one more way to optimize our understanding of your heart risk.

Treatments

Current treatment strategies to manage inflammation include:

  • Medications 
  • Anti-inflammatory diet – a diet rich in whole grains, fruit, whole grains, and healthy fats.
  • Increase in physical activity.
  • Weigh management
  • Stress management 

On June 20, 2023, the FDA approved LODOCO® (Colchicine) as the first anti-inflammatory atheroprotective cardiovascular treatment demonstrated to reduce the risk of a heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke, coronary revascularization, and death in adult patients with established atherosclerotic disease or with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

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