Hormonal Mechanisms in Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease is a complex process that includes genetic, inflammatory and endocrine components. During the last decades, much emphasis has been given to cholesterol and lipids as the primary determinants in cardiovascular disease. However, many endocrine and biochemical factors are involved in the atherosclerosis process as well, both systemically and vascular. Multiple obvious data suggest that hormones are responsible for subtle cardiovascular changes long before the development of overt atherosclerotic. Much research remains to be done regarding the interaction between endocrine systems and their role in atherogenesis.