Subclinical Vascular Damage: Current Insights and Future Potential

Abstract

The cardiovascular risk assessment must be carried out during all the different phases of life because the cardiovascular risk and the related prevention actions are dynamic and constantly evolving. As patients age, they change their exposure to various risk factors and accumulate comorbidities by changing their subjective cardiovascular risk, so it is necessary to undertake personalized early and preventive diagnostic actions. The main approach to asymptomatic vascular disease is based on primary prevention with the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Indeed, lifestyle influences most of the traditional risk factors. In recent years, important differences between the sexes regarding cardiovascular risk factors have emerged and in particular, risk factors specific for female sex have been identified. Women are more likely to be categorized into lower risk categories for cardiovascular disease and, as a result, receive less lifestyle counseling than men, as well as less intensive prevention. This narrative review aims to analyze CVD risk prevention in asymptomatic atherosclerosis with a look at new emerging factors. In the end, we quickly analyzed the effects of the recent pandemic on lifestyle and cardiovascular risk and the potential negative effects in the long term.

Keywords:

• prevention
• risk factors
• women
• lifestyle
• microbiota
• pandemic

Abbreviations

CV, cardiovascular; CVD, cardiovascular disease; LDL cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; hs-CRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; PA, physical activity; PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome.

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr Melania Malpezzi for the production of Figure 1.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.