1. Summary
Content Points:
In this presentation it has been demonstrated that the endothelium plays a pivotal role in maintaining CV health.
Endothelial dysfunction may occur due to diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and CHD (including heart failure). Clinical studies support this link; a number of these clinical studies have been discussed in this presentation.
It is clear that the appropriate therapy for these disorders should address the underlying pathology of the disease and, as demonstrated by clinical studies, this pathology is endothelial dysfunction.
Therefore, treatments for hypertension need to do more than simply reduce BP; they should also improve endothelial function, which will reduce the likelihood of complications such as CHD/CAD.
People with diabetes, dyslipidemia and CHD also need therapies that take into account endothelial impairment.
ACE inhibition and statin agents have been demonstrated to improve endothelial function. As shown in this presentation, a number of clinical studies support this effect for these drug classes.