Endothelial Dysfunction part 1 - An Overview

Endothelial Dysfunction - An Overview

Dicken Weatherby, N.D. and Beth Ellen DiLuglio, MS, RDN, LDN

Welcome to our series of posts on Endothelial Dysfunction, which will cover a range of topics related to the endothelium and its role in health and disease:

The Endothelial Dysfunction Series

1. Endothelial Dysfunction part 1 - An Overview
2. Endothelial Dysfunction part 2 - The Endothelium
3. Endothelial Dysfunction part 3 - Nitric Oxide
4. Endothelial Dysfunction part 4 - Diseases and Causes
5. Endothelial Dysfunction part 5 - Immune Response & Oxidative Stress
6. Endothelial Dysfunction part 6 - Atherosclerosis
7. Endothelial Dysfunction part 7 - Assessment Part 1
8. Endothelial Dysfunction part 8 - Assessment part 2
9. Endothelial Dysfunction part 9 - Functional Naturopathic Approach
10. Endothelial Dysfunction part 10 - Optimal Takeaways

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death worldwide, cutting short an estimated 17.9 lives annually, according to the World Health Organization. Approximately four out of five of those deaths is attributed to heart attack and stroke.[I]

A growing body of evidence indicates that the underlying cause of most CVD is endothelial dysfunction caused by damage to the endothelial lining of the coronary arteries.

We must look at the physiology, function, and dysfunction of the vascular endothelium to understand CVD. We can then intervene to slow the progression of CVD or, preferably, take early steps to prevent it all together.

This series of posts on Endothelial Dysfunction will cover a range of topics related to the endothelium and its role in health and disease including:

• Characteristics of a healthy endothelium
• Detrimental consequences of endothelial dysfunction
• Diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction with a focus on cardiovascular disease
• Nitric oxide, the key to endothelial homeostasis
• Oxidative stress and atherosclerosis
• Signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction      
• Biomarkers associated with endothelial dysfunction
• Treatment, intervention, and prevention of endothelial dysfunction

[i] World Health Organization. Cardiovascular Diseases. Retrieved November 30, 2020 from https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases/#tab=tab_1

NEXT UP - Endothelial Dysfunction part 2 - The Endothelium