Inflammation and Cardiovascular Outcomes

This chapter provides an updated review of our understanding of the role played by inflammation in the development and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). It is well known that endothelial dysfunction leads to cytokine release as a part of the inflammatory cascade. These cytokines give rise to pro-atherogenic changes in the vascular walls and activate prothrombotic pathways. Molecular markers of inflammation like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) provide insight into an individual’s cardiovascular risk and are affected by cardiovascular therapies like statins. The chapter also explores the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions and the cardiovascular effects of anti-inflammatory therapies. A growing understanding of the link between inflammation and ASCVD has led to the development of new therapeutic targets of inflammation aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk. The chapter also discusses the evidence behind anti-inflammatory therapies that are currently being studied in primary and secondary ASCVD prevention settings. Targeting inflammation has the potential to develop novel avenues to reduce cardiovascular risk.