From the Guidelines
Atherogenic refers to substances or conditions that promote the formation of plaque in the arteries, leading to heart disease, and includes high levels of LDL cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and an unhealthy diet. In simple terms, something that is atherogenic contributes to the buildup of fatty deposits called atherosclerosis, which narrows and hardens the arteries. Common atherogenic factors include:
- High levels of LDL cholesterol (often called "bad" cholesterol) 1
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- A diet high in saturated fats and trans fats These factors damage the inner lining of blood vessels and promote inflammation, allowing cholesterol to accumulate in the artery walls 1. According to the 2013 ACC/AHA guideline 1, elevated LDL-C is atherogenic, and population and genetic studies disclose that without some elevation of LDL-C, cigarette smoking, hypertension, and diabetes cause little coronary heart disease. Reducing atherogenic factors through lifestyle changes such as a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking, and sometimes medication like statins can help prevent the development of atherosclerosis and associated heart disease 1. The goal is to reduce LDL-C and non-HDL-C to very low levels, as shown in Table 1 of the guideline 1, to minimize the risk of cardiovascular events.
From the Research
Definition of Atherogenic
- Atherogenic refers to the tendency to promote or cause atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the arteries, leading to their hardening and narrowing 2, 3, 4.
- In simpler terms, atherogenic factors are those that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and related events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Examples of Atherogenic Factors
- High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, are considered atherogenic because they can lead to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries 2, 4, 5.
- Other factors that may be atherogenic include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, as they can all contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis 3.
Reducing Atherogenic Risk
- Statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering medications, have been shown to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by decreasing LDL cholesterol levels and preventing the formation of new plaque 2, 4, 5, 6.
- Other therapies, such as ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors, may also be used to reduce atherogenic risk by lowering LDL cholesterol levels and reducing the formation of plaque 2, 3, 4.