Unhealthy lifestyle and the risk of metabolic syndrome- the Romanian experience

Background. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a clustering of metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Many studies have shown the influence of an unhealthy lifestyle on the risk of MetS, yet some aspects remain controversial. Aim of the study: to investigate the relationship between an unhealthy lifestyle and the risk of MetS. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted using a sample of 181 patients, 54 (29.8%) males and 127 (70.2%) females, aged 59.95±10.8 years. The baseline survey involved the completion of structured questionnaires and clinical examination. Results. Rural environment, lower education level, past smoking, the absence of fruit/vegetables in the diet, carbonated soft drinks, and the consumption of significant amounts of alcohol were risk factors for the MetS. Conclusion. A precise etiology for the MetS remains unclear, but it is known to result from a complex interaction of genetic, metabolic, and socio-economic and environmental factors

Unhealthy lifestyle and the risk of metabolic syndrome- the Romanian experience

Background. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a clustering of metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Many studies have shown the influence of an unhealthy lifestyle on the risk of MetS, yet some aspects remain controversial. Aim of the study: to investigate the relationship between an unhealthy lifestyle and the risk of MetS. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted using a sample of 181 patients, 54 (29.8%) males and 127 (70.2%) females, aged 59.95±10.8 years. The baseline survey involved the completion of structured questionnaires and clinical examination. Results. Rural environment, lower education level, past smoking, the absence of fruit/vegetables in the diet, carbonated soft drinks, and the consumption of significant amounts of alcohol were risk factors for the MetS. Conclusion. A precise etiology for the MetS remains unclear, but it is known to result from a complex interaction of genetic, metabolic, and socio-economic and environmental factors

Particularities of traditional and novel atherosclerotic risk factors in women with peripheral arterial disease in a Romanian Rehabilitation Hospital

Introduction. The increasing prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) among women is becoming a general healthcare issue, as this populational group is still underrepresented in clinical trials and registries addressing this disease. The aim of this research is to determine women peculiarities in both classical and novel atherosclerosis risk factors in patients admitted in a Romanian Rehabilitation Hospital. Material and methods. 83 consecutive female patients with a mean age of 68.48±10.39 years, symptomatic PAD and a pathological ankle-brachial index were included in the analysis. Data regarding the traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors, both clinical, biological and paraclinical parameters were all registered. A subgroup of 40 subjects had novel inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α) measured, which were compared in a case-control manner to those of 17 agematched healthy controls. Results. Traditional risk factors most prevalent in our overall cohort were hypertension (85%), smoking (44.57%) and diabetes mellitus (45.7%). Mean ankle-brachial index was 0.47±0.17. Novel inflammatory markers were significantly higher in women with symptomatic PAD compared to healthy controls: hs-CRP (p<0.0001), IL-6 (p=0.0053 and TNF-α (p=0.005). Multivariate statistical analysis found ankle-brachial index (ABI)- (p<0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.0272), obesity (p=0.0445), LDL-cholesterol (p=0.0018), HDL-cholesterol (p=0.0092) and serum creatinine (p<0.0001) to be independent predictors for a more advanced PAD. 59% of the patients exhibited critical limb ischemia on admission, while 60.24% had at least one major arterial occlusion on angiography. Percutaneous revascularization was the most employed treatment method, with 42% of subjects receiving PTA compared to 21.7% in the surgical arm. Conclusion. Women with PAD have specific clinical and biological characteristics that ultimately affect treatment modality, prescription of a rehabilitation program and outcome

Inflammation and fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure: is there a need for rehabilitation?

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly prevalent among the general population as well as in those exhibiting heart failure (HF), and the symptomatology progressively worsens when both conditions are met. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of inflammation and fibrosis biomarkers in patients with AF and HF. Methods: 108 subjects with heart failure were enrolled in the study. All patients were evaluated clinically, biologically and echocardiographically. Plasma values of NT-proBNP, Gal-3 and sST2 were determined. Results: Out of all patients, 64.8% experienced at least one AF event. There were no differences in the mean left ventricular ejection fraction between the groups, which was 39.4 ± 11.2%. In terms of left atrium dimensions, the values in the AF group were significantly higher ( 51.19 ± 7.3 vs. 44.68 ± 7.16 mm, p<0.001). AF history was associated with a trend of decreased eGFR - 59,22±24,1 ml/min/1.73m3 vs 75,95±29,1 ml/min/1.73m3 (p=0.006). There was no statistically significant difference in the level of HF biomarkers (sST2, Galectin-3 and NT-pro BNP) between individuals with or without AF. Conclusion: Patients with HF are at greater risk to develop AF. HF biomarkers (sST2, Galectin-3 and NT-pro BNP) are not influenced by the presence of AF

Cardiac rehabilitation after catheter ablation of atrial fibrilation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. Besides antiarrhythmic drugs and electrical cardioversion, atrial fibrillation can be treated with a newer technique called catheter ablation. Patients suffering a catheter ablation can benefit from an integrated rehabilitation programme like all other patients suffering a cardiac surgery. Physical training and psycho-educative consultations are specific after catheter ablation and integrated rehabilitation can improve mental health, physical capacity and permits return to sports activities