CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • Vol 23, No 4, May 2012
AFRICA
185
of potentially unprecedented increases in ED and atherosclerosis
in particularly the sub-Saharan African region, and the
subsequent burden of health this could introduce, it is imperative
that researchers and research funding institutions prioritise
ED, with respect to both basic scientific and clinical research.
In conclusion, ED is an early and potentially reversible event
in the development of atherosclerosis and can therefore be
regarded as a vascular early-warning signal. As cardiovascular
researchers and clinicians, we should not ignore the importance
of this window of opportunity offered to us by ED, since proper
detection followed by therapeutic or lifestyle interventions could
prevent potentially catastrophic cardiovascular events later in the
lives of affected patients.
As explained above, this has become particularly relevant in
the sub-Saharan African region, as we are entering unchartered
waters with regard to a predicted surge in the incidence of
cardiovascular diseases previously unheard of in patients of
African descent. This is due to a double burden of both traditional
risk factors introduced by epidemiological transition and chronic
diseases of lifestyle, but recently also due to non-traditional
risk factors introduced by the HI virus and anti-retroviral drugs,
particularly with regard to their targeted pro-ED effects. As basic
research findings in the context of ED are moving ever closer to
effective and potentially standardised clinical applications (i.e.
early detection of ED followed by effective and targeted reversal
of ED), it is crucial that researchers and clinicians in South
Africa and Africa remain abreast of the latest developments. Are
we up to the challenge?
HANS STRIJDOM,
Division of Medical Physiology, Department of Biomedical
Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch
University, South Africa
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MARK YOUR
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17-22 FEBRUARY 2013
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
6
th
Paediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
SOUTHAFRICAN
HEARTASSOCIATION
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