PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Keywords:
The cardiovascular system, comprising the heart and blood vessels, is responsible for circulating blood, delivering oxygen, nutrients, and removing metabolic wastes. Proper function depends on the integrity of the vascular endothelium, myocardial tissue, and the regulatory systems controlling blood pressure and flow. Pathophysiological changes disrupt these functions and contribute to disease development, progression, and complications.Abstract
Abstract:The cardiovascular system plays a critical role in maintaining tissue perfusion and overall homeostasis. Pathophysiological alterations in this system can lead to various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This article reviews key mechanisms underlying cardiovascular pathologies, including endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial ischemia, and heart failure. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.
References
• Braunwald, E. (2013). Heart failure. JACC: Heart Failure, 1(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchf.2012.10.003
• Carretero, O.A., & Oparil, S. (2000). Essential hypertension. Part I: definition and etiology. Circulation, 101(3), 329-335. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.101.3.329
• Davignon, J., & Ganz, P. (2004). Role of endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis. Circulation, 109(23_suppl_1), III-27-III-32. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000131515.03336.f8
• Frangogiannis, N.G. (2015). Pathophysiology of myocardial infarction. Comprehensive Physiology, 5(4), 1841-1875. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c150006
• Libby, P., Ridker, P.M., & Hansson, G.K. (2019). Inflammation in atherosclerosis: from pathophysiology to practice. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 54(23), 2129-2138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2009.09.009