Slide 2

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by the build-up of fatty deposits, including cholesterol, in the artery wall. Typically, the process begins in early adolescence, with the initiation, progression and ultimate rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque leading to the clinical event (heart attack, stroke or intermittent claudication in the legs) evolving over several decades. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major public health concern, as it represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Within Europe, CVD is responsible for nearly half (49%) of all mortality, over 4 million cases each year [1]. Moreover, the burden of CVD is increasing, attributable to the changing profile of cardiovascular risk, as evident from the global epidemics of obesity, diabetes (predominantly type 2 diabetes) and metabolic syndrome [2,3].

1. Petersen S., Peto V, Rayner M, Leal J, Luengo-Fernandez R, Gray A. European cardiovascular disease statistics. London, British Heart Foundation, 2005.

2. Diabetes prevalence. Available from International Diabetes Federation, www.idf.org..

3. U.S. Obesity trends 1985-2007. Available from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/trend/maps/index.htm.