Risk factors and pharmacological therapy in patients with vascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most challenging burdens for healthcare systems worldwide. Peripheral arterial disease is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity, including coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular diseases. Patients with peripheral arterial disease have a sixfold increase in myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and death compared to the general population. The strongest risk factor associated with peripheral arterial disease is smoking, followed by diabetes, obesity, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, aging, hyperhomocysteinemia, and vasculitis.