From the Guidelines
ASCVD stands for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arteries, leading to conditions such as coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and cerebrovascular disease. According to the 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease 1, ASCVD remains the leading cause of death for people of most racial/ethnic groups, with an estimated cost of over $200 billion annually in healthcare services, medications, and lost productivity. The disease develops gradually over years and is influenced by risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and family history. Some key points to consider about ASCVD include:
- The buildup of plaque in the arteries, which consists of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances found in the blood, narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to vital organs and tissues 1.
- ASCVD encompasses several specific conditions, including coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and cerebrovascular disease, which can lead to stroke.
- Management typically involves lifestyle modifications, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation, as well as medications like statins, aspirin, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors, depending on the specific manifestation and risk factors present in each individual.
- The ACC/AHA Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines has emphasized the importance of moving individuals toward ideal cardiovascular health, as defined by Life’s Simple 7, to prevent ASCVD and other related health conditions 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
In the Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS), the effect of atorvastatin calcium on cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints was assessed...
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVd) is not explicitly defined in the provided text, however, based on the context of the studies, it can be inferred that ASCVd refers to diseases of the heart and blood vessels caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
- Cardiovascular events mentioned in the studies include:
- Myocardial infarction
- Acute coronary heart disease death
- Unstable angina
- Coronary revascularization
- Stroke 2
From the Research
Definition of ASCVD
- Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a condition where the buildup of plaque in the arteries leads to cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- ASCVD is a major cause of death and morbidity worldwide, and its risk can be reduced through lipid-lowering therapies such as statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Risk Factors for ASCVD
- High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are a major risk factor for ASCVD 3, 5, 6, 7.
- Other risk factors for ASCVD include high triglyceride levels, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and inflammation 4, 7.
Treatment and Prevention of ASCVD
- Statins are a first-line therapy for the primary and secondary prevention of ASCVD, and can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular events 3, 5, 6.
- Ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors can be used in combination with statins to further reduce LDL cholesterol levels and ASCVD risk 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- New emerging therapies such as inclisiran, pemafibrate, and bempedoic acid may also be effective in reducing ASCVD risk 7.