Rapid Detection of Subclinical Atherosclerosis: Potential Implications for Primary Prevention in LMIC

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.—Benjamin Franklin This axiom, applied to health, is as true today as it was when it was originally quoted in reference to fire safety. Acute atherothrombotic cardiovascular events such as acute coronary syndromes, ischemic stroke, and sudden death are often (nearly 50% of the time) the first clinical manifestation of occult vascular disease in subjects unaware of existence of pre-symptomatic atherosclerosis. The overall burden of cardiovascular disease worldwide is significant, and nearly two-thirds of it originates from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) . This very high burden of cardiovascular disease in developing nations threatens the economy of underprivileged nations because many victims tend to be young with substantial earning potential. Preventing such first and unheralded acute cardiovascular events is important because adoption of a healthy lifestyle and risk factor control can prevent such events in the asymptomatic population as well as in patients with known cardiovascular disease (primary and secondary prevention) . In this regard, identifying seemingly healthy and asymptomatic individuals at potential risk for acute atherothrombotic events in the near term becomes relevant. At-risk individuals can be cost-effectively targeted for lifestyle modification as well as more aggressive long-term interventions including pharmacotherapy (statins, aspirin, etc.), whereas low-risk or not-at-risk individuals can ...
Source: CVD Prevention and Control - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Editorial Comment Source Type: research