A irrigação cardíaca, tanto no homem quanto em outros mamíferos, é assunto relevante e tem sido pesquisado por diversos autores, entre os quais se destacam, em nosso meio, H. Rodrigues e os membros de sua equipe, procurando subsidiar a base biomorfológica de doenças vasculares do miocárdio. Relativamente aos músculos papilares, mesmo considerando sua destacada importância, as informações sobre o comportamento dos vasos arteriais a eles relacionados são, porém, incompletas e escassas na literatura médica. Objetivando estabelecer a origem destas artérias e sua distribuição nos músculos papilares do ventrículo esquerdo, fizemos nossa pesquisa com 30 corações de cães adultos, machos e fêmeas de raça não definida e de várias idades. Nestas espécies, após a doação de suas carcaças pelo Centro de Zoonose, logo em seguida ao óbito, o coração foi removido, isolado dos pulmões e do pericárdio parietal, lavado em água corrente e em seguida injetado através do óstio da artéria coronária esquerda com uma solução de acetato de vinil corado, neoprene látex 650 corado ou gelatina a 10%. Em alguns corações, a cor da solução variou segundo as subdivisões das artérias injetadas. Os músculos papilares em todas as técnicas utilizadas foram fixados com solução de formol a 10 %. A dissecação foi realizada para evidenciarmos a vascularização arterial e para tal utilizamos solução de ácido sulfúrico a 40 % de forma a acelerar o processo. Para realização das radiografias utilizamos injeção com mercúrio o que auxiliou a montagem dos esquemas da vascularização estudada. Assim como utilizamos a técnica de diafanização de Spalteholz para melhor visualizar a irrigação cardíaca. Evidenciamos que os músculos papilares subauricular e subatrial são irrigados pelos ramos da artéria coronária esquerda. O m. subauricular pelos ramos interventricular paraconal e circunflexo e o m. subatrial predominantemente pelo ramo circunflexo. Os sub-segmentos que suprem o m. subauricular do ramo interventricular paraconal são os ramos: colateral e ventriculares à esquerda, e do ramo circunflexo são os ramos: dorsais à esquerda e intermédio (marginal ventricular esquerdo) e mais raramente o ramo da borda ventricular esquerda (ramo diafragmático). Os sub-segmentos do ramo circunflexo que suprem o m. subatrial são os ramos: intermédio (marginal ventricular esquerdo), da borda ventricular esquerda (ramo diafragmático), ramos dorsais direito e ramo interventricular subsinuoso. Em alguns casos observamos o ramo colateral e o próprio ramo interventricular paraconal atingir a porção do vértice do m. subatrial. Em 100% dos casos foram observadas anastomoses entre os ramos que atingem o ápice cardíaco: interventricular paraconal e seu sub-segmento colateral, além dos sub-segmentos do ramo circunflexo: ramo intermédio (marginal ventricular esquerdo), ramo da margem ventricular esquerda e o ramo interventricular subsinuoso. / Cardiac irrigation, both in man and in other mammals, is a relevant subject that has been researched by several authors, among whom H. Rodrigues and his team, who have been seeking to subsidy the biomorphological base for myocardium vascular diseases. Information about the arterial vases related to papillary muscles is incomplete and scarce in the medical literature, in spite of their great importance. Aiming at establishing the origin of these arteries and their distribution through the papillary muscles in the left ventricle, we conducted our research using 30 adult dog hearts, both male and female, of undefined breeds and of several ages. After these species´ carcasses were donated by the Zoonosis Center, immediately after death, the animals? hearts were removed, isolated from the lungs and from the parietal pericardium, washed in running water, and then injected through the left coronary artery ostium with a colored vinyl acetate solution, with colored latex neoprene 650, or with 10% gelatin. The solution color varied in a few hearts according to the injected artery subdivisions. The papillary muscles were fixed with a 10% formaldehyde solution in all techniques that were used. Dissection was performed to reveal arterial vascularization. During the procedure, we used a 40% sulfuric acid solution to accelerate the process. To perform the X-ray, we used a mercury injection to help us to assemble the studied vascularization schemes, and we also used the Spalteholz technique to view cardiac irrigation better. We found that subauricular and subatrial papillary muscles are irrigated by the left coronary artery branches: the m. subauricular by the paraconal interventricular and circumflex branches and the m. subatrial predominantly by the circumflex branch. The sub-segments that supply the m. subauricular of the paraconal interventricular paraconal branch are the collateral and left ventricular, while sub-segments that supply the circumflex branch are the left dorsal and intermediate (marginal left ventricular) and, more rarely, the left ventricular edge branch (diaphragmatic branch). The sub-segments of the circumflex branch that supply the m. subatrial are the following branches: intermediate (marginal left ventricular), the left ventricular edge (diaphragmatic branch), right dorsal branches and the sub-sinuous interventricular branch. In a few cases, we also observed the collateral branch and the paraconal interventricular branch itself reaching the vertex portion of the m. subatrial. In 100% of the cases, anastomosis was observed between the branches that reach the cardiac apex: paraconal interventricular and its collateral sub-segment, over and beyond the circumflex branch sub-segments: intermediate branch (marginal left ventricular), the left ventricular margin branch, and the sub-sinuous interventricular branch.

Abstract Different metabolic and environmental factors affect the blood pressure level, constituting a cluster, especially in hypertensives, that leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. The present research was designed to determine the prevalence and the predictors of the metabolic syndrome and the role of insulin and blood pressure in carotid atherosclerosis in 600 treated male and female hypertensives aged 40-59 years and 600 age- and sex-matched controls. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in different population-based cohorts varied, depending on the definition, from 0.8% to 35.3%, being lowest in control men and women and highest in hypertensive men. 73.8% of a random, middle-aged, urban population showed at least one cardiovascular risk factor, and 91.3% of all hypertensive subjects showed at least one cardiovascular risk factor in addition to hypertension itself. The independent predictors of the metabolic syndrome were waist circumference, uric acid, total cholesterol and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Hypertension had a significant effect on carotid intima-media thickness and the prevalence of plaques in men, but its effect in women was not significant. A long duration of hypertension resulted in greater intima-media thickness and a higher prevalence of plaques, particularly in men. There were significant associations between gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and the components of the metabolic syndrome after adjustment for alcohol consumption and also in teetotallers. There were inconsistent associations between the different insulin measures and the intima-media thickness as a measure of carotid atherosclerosis. The exclusion of diabetic subjects did not change the results. In conclusion, a cluster of metabolic abnormalities related to hypertension is frequent among both controls and treated hypertensive subjects. Hypertensive subjects have higher prevalences of carbohydrate and lipoprotein aberrations and structural and functional cardiovascular complications than age- and sex-matched controls.

Abstract Several studies have shown that altered cardiovascular autonomic regulation is associated with hypertension, diabetes, aging, angiographic severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), and increased mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The purpose of this study was to assess the temporal changes and prognostic significance of various measures of heart rate (HR) behaviour and their possible associations to coronary risk variables, and the progression of CAD in different populations. This study comprised five patient populations. The first consisted of 305 patients with recent coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and lipid abnormalities, the second of 109 male patients with recent CABG, the third of 53 type II diabetic patients with CAD, the fourth of 600 patients with recent AMI, and the fifth of 41 elderly subjects. HR variability and non-linear measures of HR dynamics were analysed. Among the patients with prior CABG, a significant correlation existed between the baseline HR variability (standard deviation of N-N intervals, SDNN) and the progression of CAD (r = 0.26, p < 0.001)). In the longitudinal study of patients with prior CABG, only the fractal indexes of HR dynamics, such as the power law slope (β) and the short-term fractal exponent (α1), decreased significantly. In diabetic patients, SDNN decreased significantly (p < 0.001) during the three-year period. The reduction of SDNN was related to cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels, and also to progression of CAD (r = 0.36, p < 0.01). In the longitudinal follow-up study of patients with recent AMI, reduced fractal indices (α1 and β), and reduced HR turbulence predicted cardiac death when measured at the convalescent phase after AMI. Reduced β and turbulence slope predicted cardiac death when measured at 12 months after AMI. In the elderly population, β (p < 0.001) and α1 (p < 0.01) reduced significantly. Low-frequency power spectra were the only traditional measure of HR variability that decreased significantly during the 16-year period. HR variability is associated with many risk factors of atherosclerosis and with progression of CAD among patients with ischemic heart disease. Fractal HR dynamics are more sensitively able to detect age-related changes in cardiovascular autonomic regulation. Altered fractal HR dynamics and HR turbulence are associated with increased mortality after AMI.

oam1998@outlook.com / Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased mortality, for which impaired functional capacity (IFC) has been established as a surrogate. We sought to assess whether IFC is associated with increased mortality in patients with OSA and whether IFC is predictive of increased mortality after accounting for coronary artery disease. Methods: Patients with OSA who underwent both polysomnography testing and exercise stress echocardiogram were selected. Records were reviewed retrospectively for demographics, comorbidities, stress echocardiographic parameters, and polysomnography data. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between IFC and overall mortality. We then evaluated the variables associated with IFC in the overall population and in the subgroup with normal Duke treadmill score (DTS). Results: In our cohort, 404 (26%) patients had IFC. The best predictors of IFC were female sex, history of smoking, ejection fraction less than 55, increased body mass index, presence of comorbidities, abnormal exercise echocardiogram, abnormal heart rate recovery, and abnormal DTS. Compared with those without IFC, patients with IFC were 5.1 times more likely to die (odds ratio [OR], 5.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5–10.5; P , 0.0001) by univariate analysis and 2.7 times more likely to die (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2–6.1; P = 0.02) by multivariate analysis, when accounting for heart rate recovery, DTS, and sleep apnea severity. Among those without coronary artery disease, patients with IFC were at significantly increased risk of mortality (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.35–13.79; P = 0.0088) compared with those with preserved functional capacity. Conclusions: In our OSA population, IFC was a strong predictor of increased mortality. Among those with normal DTS, IFC identified a cohort at increased risk of mortality.

M.Phil. (Biokinetics) / Although coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is well-established worldwide as a safe, effective operation for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), it is an invasive procedure that often leaves patients feeling very anxious about the recovery process. The post-surgery phase should not only entail exercise intervention, but should also be paralleled with education and counselling to encourage patients to become responsible for the management of their own health and to achieve good functional capacity and quality of life (QoL). This prospective longitudinal study was aimed at achieving return to health and wellness in a group of CABG patients (n=18) with a mean age of 65 years. Four questionnaires were administered at the pre- and post-test, including Stone’s Heart Disease Risk Factor Questionnaire (1984), Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire (1978), Hawkes and Nowak Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (1998) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire. Morphological variables, biological and physiological fitness parameters, and health-related fitness were also assessed at the pre- and post-test. Prescribed exercise and lifestyle modifications were employed over twelve weeks, with emphasis on healthier nutrition and improved mental health. The level of significance was set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05) and 1% (p ≤ 0.0167). The findings in this study reflected significant improvements in heart disease risk, kilocalorie expenditure, nutrition knowledge, physical and mental QoL, waist circumference, body fat percentage, resting and recovery systolic blood pressure, aerobic endurance, flexibility, agility and dynamic balance, and lower-body strength. However, no significant changes were found in distance walked per day, body weight, body mass index, resting heart rate, resting diastolic blood pressure, blood cholesterol, maximum heart rate, maximum systolic and diastolic blood pressure, rating of perceived exertion, recovery heart rate, and recovery diastolic blood pressure. In addition, a deleterious change was found in blood glucose. Significant improvements were noted in the QoL and nutrition knowledge of this group of participants. The role limitations due to physical health reflected the most prominent improvement, indicating that the intervention positively influenced overall health, wellness, and activities of daily living. This study concluded that cardiac rehabilitation encompassing exercise intervention, nutrition guidelines, and psychosocial advice has been successful in improving the QoL of patients who have undergone CABG surgery.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effect of upper versus lower cervical manipulation on the vertebral artery blood flow in asymptomatic individuals. Thirty patients of both genders between the ages of 18-45 years of age, volunteered to participate in this study. Each participant presented with at least one upper and one lower rotary cervical facet restriction. Each participant was randomly placed into either Group 1 whom received upper cervical manipulation, or Group 2 whom received lower cervical manipulation. Any participants who presented with positive VBAI signs or symptoms were excluded from this study. The Medison SonoAce 8000 Ultrasound System was used to objectively measure the blood flow as close to C1-C2 region as possible, contralateral to the side of the adjustment contact. Three measurements were recorded in total which included neutral, pre-manipulation and post-manipulation. As this study included asymptomatic participants, no subjective data was collected. Statistical analysis was performed where the intragroup analysis was done using the Paired Sample t-test and inter-group analysis was done using the Independent Samples t-test to check for statistically significant results less than the p-value of 0.05. There were no statistically significant results found in Group 1 and Group 2 in isolation in the intragroup analysis as well as when compared in the intergroup analysis. Upper cervical manipulation resulted in a slight percentage increase in mean blood flow velocity. Lower cervical manipulation resulted in a decreased end diastolic blood flow velocity after manipulation which indicated the possibility of vertebrobasilar occlusion, however, it did not result in much change with regards to mean blood flow velocity. In addition, upper as well as lower cervical v manipulation had a minimally insignificant dilating effect on the diameter of the upper vertebral artery which may have been due to reflex vasodilation. This study demonstrated no statistically significant changes in isolation in the intragroup analysis as well as when compared in the intergroup analysis. Lower cervical manipulation did however have a moderate influence on the upper vertebral artery blood flow but overall was still less stressful in comparison to upper cervical manipulation. Additional studies are suggested to clarify these findings further.

The aim of this study was to investigate the viability of laparoscopic testicular artery ligation as an alternative to the more conventional castration methods in equids. Twelve intact male donkeys varying in age from 5 months to 13 years were used in this study. Two of these donkeys were castrated by means of an open technique. The remaining donkeys underwent testicular artery ligation under laparoscopic guidance. Ligation of the testicular artery was achieved by application of Filshie clips under laparoscopic visualisation. This was performed with the donkeys standing in stocks and sedated with a combination of detomidine hydrochloride and butorphanol tartrate. The ten donkeys which underwent testicular artery ligation were unilaterally castrated using an acceptable open castration technique on two separate occasions. The first testes were removed at a specific time period after testicular artery ligation, while the second testes were all removed on the same day 9 months after the first group of donkeys underwent laparoscopic assisted testicular artery ligation. The remaining two donkeys which acted as controls underwent a standard open bilateral castration procedure both testes being removed on the same day. All the testes removed, excluding one testis lost to the study, were evaluated histologically. Four testes were used as controls. Thirteen testes showed histological signs of ischaemic necrosis, degeneration and/or atrophy. Three testes showed histological tubular degeneration and atrophy as well as the presence of some normal tissue. The remaining three testes were histologically unchanged. One of the testes was accidentally misplaced at post mortem due to human error. Avascular necrosis of the testicular tissue was not successful in all the subjects. This technique shows promise but further research is required. / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / unrestricted

Obese pregnant women have increased risk of a number of pregnancy complications, including poor maternal health, fetal growth restriction (FGR) and fetal demise. The success of pregnancy is dependent on precise regulation of the immune response within the utero-placental environment. Rats as a model for human related pregnancy complications are beginning to be widely used because of the similarities between these species in terms of trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling. However our knowledge of immune cells and cytokine localization in the rat utero-placental tissue relating to these processes is limited. Therefore our first aim was to characterize the immune cell populations, such as uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, neutrophils and macrophages in the rat utero-placental unit at two crucial gestational ages relevant to trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling, gestational day (GD) 15 and GD18. In addition, we characterized the cytokine distribution of TNFα, IFNγ and IL-10 in the utero-placental tissue at both above mentioned gestational ages. Our study has demonstrated co-localization of TNFα and IFNγ with uNK cells in the perivascular region of the spiral arteries in the rat mesometrial triangle. Neutrophils were localized at the maternal fetal interface and in the spiral artery lumen of the rat mesometrial triangle at both gestational ages. TNFα and IL-10 demonstrated a temporal change in the localization from GD15 to GD18 which coincides with the leading edge of trophoblast invasion into the mesometrial triangle. The results of the current study furthers our knowledge of the localization and temporal expression of uterine immune cells and relevant cytokines, and provides a base to research the function of these immune cells and cytokines during rat pregnancy as a model to study human pregnancy and complications related to immune functions. Since obesity is associated with a peripheral and systemic pro-inflammatory state in humans, our second objective was to investigate whether maternal obesity could alter the utero-placental and systemic immune response in the rats. To characterize maternal obesity induced changes in uterine immune state we used pregnant rats fed a control diet (normal weight; CD) or a high fat diet (obese; HFD) at GD15 and GD18. We performed immunohistochemistry to localize TNFα and IL-10, and quantified the levels of TNFα, IL-1β and IL-10 in the uterine tissue by immunoassay. To assess the systemic immune state, circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine MCP-1 were assessed by immunoassay. We demonstrated an increased concentration of the pro-inflammatory marker TNFα and a reduced anti-inflammatory IL-10-positive cell distribution in the rat mesometrial triangle in response to a HFD. In addition increased circulating MCP-1 was observed in the HFD-fed dams at both gestation ages. HFD induced obesity in our rat model leads to an increase in uterine and systemic pro-inflammatory markers. These markers have demonstrated the potential to alter utero-placental development. Pregnancy complications such as FGR and fetal demise have been shown to be associated with impaired placental development as a result of altered trophoblast invasion and aberrant maternal spiral artery remodeling. Therefore, our third aim was to compare these parameters between the CD-fed rats and HFD-fed rats at GD15 and GD18. Early trophoblast invasion was increased by approximately 2-fold in HFD-fed dams with a concomitant increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 protein, a mediator of tissue remodeling and invasion. By late gestation reduced trophoblast invasion was observed in HFD-fed dams. Furthermore, we also observed in late gestation significantly higher levels of smooth muscle actin surrounding the uterine spiral arteries of HFD-fed dams, suggesting impaired spiral artery remodeling. We also determined the impact of human serum from obese mothers on trophoblast invasion. We compared the invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells treated with pooled first-trimester serum from obese women with or without fetal growth restriction vs. cells treated with serum from normal-weight women with or without fetal growth restriction. First-trimester serum from obese pregnant women reduced invasion of the trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo compared to serum from normal-weight pregnant women. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that maternal obesity can negatively influence crucial utero-placental development processes resulting in the poor pregnancy outcomes and increased fetal demise. To summarize, the HFD increased the pro-inflammatory marker TNFα which was associated with altered trophoblast invasion profiles and impaired vascular remodeling. These disturbances in utero-placental development were also associated with decreased birth weights (indication of FGR) and increased rates of stillbirths in our obese rat model. In conclusion, we have made progress in defining the influence of maternal obesity (HFD) on utero-placental development. The importance of these studies is evident since FGR represents a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, FGR fetuses have an increased risk of becoming obese in their lifetime as a result of fetal programming, therefore resulting in the propagation of a transgenerational obesity cycle. Therefore by understanding the mechanisms by which maternal obesity influences utero-placental development leading to FGR, we may be able to impact short term morbidity and prevent the programming of obesity in future generations. In addition, characterization of maternal obesity’s influence on utero-placental development will also help in the search for therapeutics or intervention strategies to help optimize fetal growth and improve pregnancy outcomes in obese women.

Orientador: Fabíola Taufic Monica Iglesias / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T12:19:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gonzalez_PauloGabriel_M.pdf: 1495536 bytes, checksum: 26ccc94133bf9c2af38d1a3c267493c1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: É bem estabelecido que a acetilcolina (ACh) produz relaxamento da musculatura lisa vascular através da liberação endotelial do óxido nítrico (NO) e, portanto, é uma das ferramentas farmacológicas mais utilizadas para avaliar a integridade do endotélio. Experimentos preliminares feito pelo nosso grupo mostraram que a ACh não relaxou a aorta e nem artéria pulmonar de sagui (Callithrix jacchus), além de induzir contração neste último leito em vaso com endotélio íntegro. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar de maneira mais detalhada a resposta colinérgica em artéria pulmonar de sagui. Em artéria pulmonar, O ADP (0.01-100 µM) produziu relaxamento dependente da concentração, que foi reduzido a aproximadamente 42% na presença do L-NAME (100 ?M) ou da indometacina (inibidor não seletivo da cicloxigenase, 10 ?M). A ACh (0.00001-1 mM) induziu contração dependente da concentração com valores de potência (pEC50) e resposta maxima (Emax) de 5.83 ± 0.08 and 90 ± 5%, respectivamente. A Emax da ACh aumentou aproximadamente 28% e 22% na presença de L-NAME e após a remoção do endotélio, respectivamente. Os antagonistas muscarínicos mais seletivos para os subtipos M2 e M3, metoctramina e 4-DAMP, e a indometacina reduziram significativamente a contração induzida pela ACh. A estimulação elétrica (4-16 Hz, 80 V, 10 segundos de estimulação) induziu contração dependente da frequência que foi significativamente reduzida na presença de 4-DAMP (0.1 µM), metoctramina (0.1 µM) e fentolamina (10 ?M) e aumentada pela fisostigmina (10 µM). Na presença de hexametônio (1 ?M), fentolamina (10 µM) ou tetrodotoxina (1 ?M) a contração mediada pela ACh não foi alterada. A análise de imunofluorescência revelou a presença da colina acetiltransferase (ChAt) na tunica media. Estes dados mostram a presença de uma inervação colinérgica excitatória em artéria pulmonar de Callithrix jacchus / Abstract: It is well established that acetylcholine (ACh) produces relaxation of vascular smooth muscle by endothelial release of nitric oxide (NO) and thus is one of the most widely used pharmacological tools to assess the integrity of the endothelium. Preliminary experiments done by our group showed that ACh did not relax the aorta and pulmonary artery of marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), and induces contraction in the latter bed in vessel with intact endothelium. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize in more detail the cholinergic response in pulmonary artery marmoset. In pulmonary artery ADP (0.01-100 µM) produced concentration-dependent relaxation which was reduced to approximately 42% in the presence of L-NAME (100 µM) and indomethacin (nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, 10 µM). ACh (0.00001-1mM) produced concentration-dependent contractions with potency values (pEC50) and maximum response (Emax) of 5.83 ± 0:08 and 90 ± 5%, respectively. The Emax of ACh increased by approximately 28% and 22% in the presence of L-NAME and after removal of the endothelium, respectively. The muscarinic antagonists more selective for subtypes M2 and M3, methoctramine and 4-DAMP, and indomethacin significantly reduced ACh-induced contraction. Electrical field stimulation (EFS 4-16 Hz, 80 V, 10 seconds of stimulation) induced frequency-dependent contraction, which was significantly reduced in the presence of 4-DAMP (0.1 µM), methoctramine (0.1 µM) and phentolamine (10 µM) and augmented by physostigmine (10 µM). In the presence of hexamethonium (1 µM), phentolamine (10 µM) or tetrodotoxin (1 µM) contraction mediated by ACh was not altered. The immunofluorescence analysis revealed the expression of choline acetyltransferase (Chat) in Tunica Media. These data show the presence of an excitatory cholinergic innervation in the pulmonary artery Callithrix jacchus / Mestrado / Farmacologia / Mestre em Farmacologia

Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES) / Over 45% of firefighter deaths are due to a sudden cardiac event caused by underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors that can be prevented through adequate CAD risk factor screening and management. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of CAD risk factors in firefighters in the City of Cape Town and the relationship between the various CAD risk factors. This study used a quantitative cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational design. A total of 124 full-time firefighters of the City of Cape Town (CoCT) Fire and Rescue Service were conveniently recruited to participate in the study, including males and females of all ethnicities. Coronary artery disease risk factor information was obtained with a CAD risk factor assessment form, including, past medical history, smoking status, physical activity behaviour, ethnicity/race, age and gender.