However, there are many examples of tribes that ate diets high in animal fats and protein yet had low rates of heart disease until exposed to a Western diet: the lifestyle practices of the industrialized world clearly seems more apt to contribute to heart disease but exactly how remains uncertain. There is a complex interplay of genetics and other metabolic factors in the development of atherosclerosis (Teicholz 2007)
Data presented as mean ± standard deviation. * p < 0.05 (Hannawi et al
There may in fact be a day when atherosclerosis risk factors indicate relatively cost effective screening, in all patient classes as well as treatment for mitigating inflammation responses, which have been shown to increase progression and severity of atherosclerosis with and without RA and if recent research has much to say about it treatment protocols may be advanced very soon. (Montecucco & Mach, October 2008, NP) Resources Hannawi, S
However, this innovative approach may lead to new discoveries that could improve our understanding of the basic mechanisms of this disease and, possibly, lead to innovative, fascinating strategies for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and its complications. (Pasceri & Yeh, 1999, p
402-403) It has been known for some time that atherosclerosis is a common occurrence among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and more recently such a connection has been postulated to associate preclinical carotid atherosclerosis, which indicates for some the need to advance research toward the direction of seeking an inflammatory causal association for atherosclerosis. (Roman, et
Atherosclerosis is one of the diseases earning such focus from researchers because of its multifactorial nature, and its period of development which typically occurs years before clinical symptoms are apparent. Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arterial wall that promotes several common causes of cardiovascular mortality, including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease (Channon 2002)
The term "atherosclerosis" was traditionally used to describe an abnormality in lipid metabolism, an end-stage degenerative disease, and vessel stiffening. Further studies have caused a rapid increase in knowledge of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and suggest the inciting event of atherosclerosis is more likely an inflammatory event which occurs years before evidence of the disease clinically manifests (Crowther 2005)
The disease is likely initiated by loss of endothelial nitric oxide bioactivity, the over-expression of adhesions molecules in response to turbulent flow, and inflammatory cascades (Crowther 2005; Channon 2002). Studies also highlight the role of shear stress in regulating the inflammatory processes that initiate and promote the growth of fibroinflammatory lipid plaque (Cunningham 2005)