Lifestyle factors and endothelial function.

Atherosclerotic disease remains a major health problem around the world. The central role of endothelium and inflammation in all stages of the atherosclerotic process is advocated by significant data. Moreover, clinical evidence supports the prognostic potential of endothelial dysfunction for the development of ischemic events and for adverse outcome after acute coronary syndromes. Interestingly, suboptimal lifestyle choices are implicated in the development and deterioration of this endothelial dysfunction, a fact with significant impact, considering the contribution of endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis and its complications. Many epidemiological research studies, using a variety of strategies, provide encouraging evidence suggesting that lifestyle modifications may have significant impact regarding the improvement of endothelial function. However, little is known about how individual's genetic background interacts with environmental influences on vascular health, thereby making the interpretation of the relative importance of lifestyle interventions more complicated.