Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, with a heart attack occurring every 40 seconds and over 700,000 deaths in 2022. This public health issue is especially serious in Wisconsin, where heart disease ranks as the second leading cause of death, claiming more than 12,000 lives every year.
Key Takeaways:
Endothelial cells play an essential role in maintaining cardiovascular health. These cells form the endothelium, a barrier that lines our blood vessels and regulates many aspects of vascular function.
According to Dr. Widlansky, when these cells become dysfunctional and stop working properly, they can trigger increased inflammation, a higher risk of blood clots, and a rise in oxidative stress—an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body that can cause cell damage. If left unchecked, this can potentially lead to serious cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.
Scientists can assess endothelial function through a procedure called brachial artery flow-mediated dilation. This procedure uses ultrasound technology to measure how well blood vessels dilate in response to increased blood flow. The testing can help predict a person's risk of future cardiovascular events and provide insights into their overall vascular health.
Several factors can affect endothelial function, both positively and negatively. Risk factors include high blood pressure, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and advanced age. However, protective measures such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking tobacco, blood pressure management, and stress reduction can help maintain or improve endothelial health.
A digital illustration of a blood vessel, showing red blood cells flowing through it.
One of the most encouraging aspects of Dr. Widlansky's research is that endothelial dysfunction isn't necessarily permanent. While completely reversing atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries) can be challenging, lifestyle modifications can create significant improvements.
For example, quitting smoking can drastically reduce cardiovascular risk within three years. Within five to 10 years, former smokers' heart attack risk can be lowered to a level comparable to non-smokers. Additionally, controlling blood sugar and blood pressure can improve endothelial function.
Dr. Widlansky's research team at MCW has been investigating the potential benefits of probiotics for cardiovascular health. Their studies have shown that certain probiotic strains, particularly Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (a strain that primarily supports gut health), may improve endothelial function in people with coronary artery disease through anti-inflammatory effects. While more research is needed to fully understand potential long-term benefits, this represents exciting advancements in cardiovascular health research.
Click here to read about Dr. Widlansky's AHW-funded research on targeting gut microbiota to reduce inflammation and improve heart function in patients with heart failure.
While discussing risk factors, Dr. Widlansky emphasized that certain populations may have higher cardiovascular risk due to genetic predisposition or limited access to healthcare.
Some genetic variations can affect how the body regulates blood pressure and cholesterol, while socioeconomic factors can impact access to preventive care and treatment. Understanding these risk factors helps healthcare providers develop more targeted and effective prevention strategies.
While some risk factors for cardiovascular disease—such as genetics and age—can’t be modified, many others are within our control. The key to maintaining healthy endothelial function is consistent, healthy lifestyle choices. These include:
Dr. Widlansky shared that it's never too late to make positive changes for your heart health. Even small improvements in lifestyle habits can significantly benefit your endothelial function and overall cardiovascular health. The endothelium's ability to heal and improve through lifestyle changes makes it a key focus in preventing and treating heart disease.
To hear more from Dr. Widlansky and about the science behind heart health, tune into the Coffee Conversations with Scientists episode here: