Background:Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A major risk factor for CVD is hypercholesterolaemia. As a result the South African scientific community has updated its clinical guidelines for CVD management by adoption of the current European cardiovascular disease guidelines. The South African Not at Goal Study (SA-NAG) was a survey to determine the percentage of patients, on lipid-lowering therapy, who are not achieving guideline specified low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: In this study, dyslipidaemic and/or CVD patients on lipid lowering therapy for > 4 months were enrolled. Volunteers had their demographic data and previous medical history documented. Fasting lipid and blood glucose levels were measured in all subjects. Results: In total 1201 patients (age 58±11.4 yrs) were recruited by physicians and general practitioners. Under the new guidelines, 41% of patients are defined as Low Risk (LR) and 59% of patients are High Risk (HR) for CVD. LDL-C target goals were not achieved in 63% of LR patients and 77% of HR patients (71% overall). LR and HR patients, who were not at their LDL-C goal, were on average 19% (0.7 mmol/L) and 31% (1.1 mmol/L) above their LDL-C target levels respectively. Conclusions These results, in light of the new guidelines, suggest that a considerable percentage of patients will fall into the category of “not at goal” LDL-C. The adoption of the new guidelines will necessitate enhanced disease management to reduce the extent of hypercholesterolaemia and risk for CVD.

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences. / Department of Communication

The importance of oral health on systemic health is a highly researched area of study in recent years. There has been a shift in dental visits from acute emergencies to ongoing preventative care due to the knowledge connecting oral and systemic health. One of the commonly researched connections is the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. Periodontal disease is defined as inflammation of the gum tissue, resulting in periodontal pockets that can lead to infection, bone loss and even loss of the tooth. Cardiovascular disease, or heart disease, is a term that encompasses many different conditions of the heart, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis and angina. There is constant research to better understand the relationship between the two diseases, as well as any causality that may exist. Recent studies have been able to link the diseases, but no causal link has been found. The role of the bacteria involved in both diseases has recently been considered to see if these organisms are related to a potential causal link. Two particular bacteria that are known to be involved with periodontal disease are Porphyromona gingivalis and Treponema denticola. These bacteria are present when a patient develops periodontal disease, but they are not usually present in a healthy individual. Additionally, the bacteria that make up the contents of plaque found in the heart have been studied to see if there are any similarities with oral microbes. It has been found that oral bacteria can be present in arterial plaque samples. This research may allow a better understanding of how and why heart disease occurs and potentially serve as a way to treat heart disease accompanied by periodontal disease, if a causal relationship is elucidated. Heart disease is usually a devastating disease, sometimes resulting in the death of the patient. If more patients attend the dentist as a preventative measure, the risk of periodontal disease and associated pathologies may be reduced. Additionally, those that have already developed periodontal disease can work with a dental professional to reverse the disease. It is known that the bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream upon infection, so patients with suspected periodontitis should be treated to avoid the bacteria from entering the blood and affecting other organs such as the heart. An examination of the bacteria commonly found in the oral cavity at times of periodontal disease may lead to a better understanding of how and why these bacteria invade the bloodstream. It would be beneficial to compare the microbiota of both the plaque in the mouth and the plaque in a vessel supplying the heart in a patient suffers from heart disease. This understanding may lead to therapeutic interventions that aid in the prevention of bacteria traveling in the bloodstream. For many Americans, oral health care was believed to end at home by brushing and flossing. However, it is important to see a dental professional to avoid any possible complications that may not be apparent to the untrained eye. A simple dental cleaning may be important to detect the start of periodontal disease, and treatment can be initiated to end the potential spread of bacteria. It is important to maintain positive oral health in order to maintain overall systemic health, including the avoidance of heart disease.

No description available.

This thesis is an epidemiological study of coronary heart disease (CHD) in New Zealand Maoris. Data from both cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys of defined populations are analysed. The prevalence and incidence of CHD are defined, the relationship between CHD and the standard risk factors are examined and the prognosis of CHD presented. Racial comparisons provide a valuable means of studing the epidemiology of CHD, as marked variation in the occurrence of CHD may occur in different races living in close proximity. Comparisons of New Zealand national mortality data do in fact indicate that the New Zealand Maori, especially the Maori female, is of relatively high risk of dying from CHD. This high risk status is in marked contrast to that of other Polynesian groups living more traditionally in which CHD is virtually unknown. Moreover, the high risk status of the New Zealand Maori would not have been predicted from a knowledge of their risk factor status. These two points, the high risk status of the Maori and their atypical risk factor pattern, provide the justification for this attempt to learn more about the occurrence and causation of CHD in New Zealand Maoris.

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-71).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 296-319).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-94). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-124).

Thesis--M.D., University of Hong Kong. / Typewritten.