Cholesterol and cardiac arrhythmias

Abstract

Cardiac arrhythmias are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Ventricular arrhythmias are reportedly responsible for the majority of sudden cardiac deaths and atrial fibrillation is responsible for 15% of all strokes in the USA. Recent evidence suggests a role for cholesterol in the development of these arrhythmias. In addition to its association with atherosclerotic plaques, high cholesterol has been shown to cause changes in membrane properties, including the function of hormone receptors, ion channels and pumps. These effects are mediated through direct interactions between cholesterol and the membrane proteins, through changes in membrane fluidity and/or an association with lipid rafts. Cholesterol-lowering therapy, therefore, may prove an effective method for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, have been frequently shown to protect against ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. Some of this protection may stem from their cholesterol-lowering activities.

Keywords::

• cardiac arrhythmia
• cholesterol
• ion channels
• ion pumps
• lipid rafts
• membrane fluidity
• membrane receptors
• statins
• trafficking

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.