炎症和心脏病
Underst和 the risks of inflammation
Although it is not proven that inflammation causes cardiovascular disease, scientists have determined/shown that statin medications, which have anti-inflammatory properties, could potentially help reduce 动脉粥样硬化 in patients with CVD. Researchers are still working on learning more, but recent clinical trials have shown that inflammation is not only a risk factor for CVD but also a treatable outcome to the disease. It’s important to know what inflammation is 和 what it can do to your heart.
Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s defense to injury or infection, 和, 以这种方式, 这是有益的. But inflammation is damaging when it occurs in healthy tissues or lasts 太 long —known as chronic inflammation. It may persist for months or years.
Similarly, for the cardiovascular system, risk factors such as 吸烟, 高血压 和 低密度脂蛋白(有害)胆固醇 can "injure" the heart by causing a buildup of 动脉粥样硬化, a plaque made up of fatty deposits. This plaque buildup in the inner walls of arteries narrows the arteries 和 increases the risk they’ll become blocked. Our bodies respond to this problem by sending immune cells to the site where the plaque is building up.
The role of inflammation in heart attack 和 stroke
Scientists are still working to underst和 why the body responds to injuries in the heart muscle this way. Exactly how inflammation plays a role in heart attack 和 stroke remains a topic of ongoing research.
As the body’s immune system responds to 动脉粥样硬化, it sends enzymes 和 cells to try 和 wall off the plaque to limit its interaction with the blood stream. However, this can go awry in a couple of ways. The area can become larger from the buildup of cells 和 enzymes. Or, the 动脉粥样硬化 can burst, creating blood clots.
An artery to the heart that’s blocked by a blood clot, or by an inflamed portion of plaque itself, 导致心脏病发作. A blocked artery in or leading to the brain causes an ischemic stroke.
Researchers still need to pinpoint where in the body the CVD-contributing inflammation that contributes even occurs. Everyone’s immune system is different, 太, so scientists also need to investigate how the cells 和 molecules involved differ from person to person.
Cholesterol-lowering medications called statins appear to reduce arterial inflammation, but whether that’s from cholesterol reduction or something else is being debated.
无论哪种方式, it is critical to control the risk factors, 比如吸烟, 高血压 和 低密度脂蛋白(有害)胆固醇, 这会导致炎症. Learn more about the key factors 和 behaviors to avoiding 心脏病 和 stroke risks – what the 美国心脏协会 calls 生活的必需品™; – 和 what you can do to live a healthier lifestyle.
