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It has been well established that low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and other apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins are causally related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and that lowering these lipoproteins reduces the risk of ASCVD. By lowering LDL particles as much as possible, ASCVD can be prevented. There seems to be no LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) threshold below which no further ASCVD prevention can be achieved. Furthermore, a low (an even very low) LDL-C appears to be safe. The new ESC/EAS guidelines based on these concepts are a step towards a benefit-based strategy by focusing on the clinical benefit that can be achieved by treating the cause of ASCVD. It is recommended to lower LDL-C as much as possible to prevent ASCVD, especially in high and very high-risk patients. With these new recommendations come recognition of the importance of combination therapies in high and very high-risk patients, first with statins and ezetimibe, and if needed with a PCSK9 inhibitor. The present paper is a review of some new concepts arising during the past 10 years in the field of lipidology and the description of what is new in the 2019 EAS/ESC guidelines. ispartof: ACTA CLINICA BELGICA vol:75 issue:1 pages:80-90 ispartof: location:England status: published

ABPMambulatory blood pressure monitoringACEangiotensin converting enzymeARBangiotensin receptor blockerA-Vatrio-ventricularBBbeta-blockerBPblood pressureCHDcoronary heart diseaseCKDchronic kidney d...

In studies of occupational stress, a leading theoretical model is the 'Job Demand-Control-Support' model (Karasek, and Theorell, 1990). This states that the most adverse job-related strain reactions are to be expected in jobs characterized by high job demands, low control and low worksite support. The reliability and validity of the scales was evaluated in a sample of 21,419 employees out of 25 large companies across Belgium. Participants completed items from the Job Content Questionnaire (Karasek, 1985) in either French or Dutch translation. Data were handled by a French-speaking and a Dutch-speaking centre, respectively. Occupational groups were identified according to the International Standard of Classification, ISCO. Basically, the data support the assumptions of the model. The internal consistency was adequate: Cronbach's f varied between .77 and .83 for Psychological demands (9-item version), Decision latitude, Supervisor social support and Co-worker social support. These four common factors were c...

This summary is taken from the Second Joint Task Force of European and other Societies Recommendations on Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in Clinical Practice. The second Task Force was convened by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) and the European Society of Hypertension (ESH), the societies responsible for the original 1994 Task Force recommendations on coronary prevention (Chairman Professor K Pyorala) and consisted of a writing group, other invited members and specialists, together with representatives of other European societies and organisations as listed in the appendix. The full Task Force first met in November 1997 to review the original recommendations and agree on the principles for revision. The Writing Group then prepared a new draft of the recommendations and the specialist contributions of Professor Daan Kromhout (diet), Professor Kristina Orth-Gomer (socioeconomic, psychosocial factors and behavioural change), Professor Francois Cambi...

(1998). Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in Clinical Practice. Summary of Recommendations of the Second Joint Task Force of European and other Societies on Coronary Prevention. Blood Pressure: Vol. 7, No. 5-6, pp. 262-269.

The present study focuses on the relationship of Type A behavior, a suspected coronary-prone behavior pattern in its overall or specific aspects, to "stress" experienced at work, and to social and coronary bioclinical risk factors. In order to measure Type A behavior and Job-Stress, respectively, the Jenkins Activity Survey Questionnaire (J.A.S. for employed persons, 1969 version) and a self-constructed Job-Stress Questionnaire were administered at a base-line examination to 2,302 men aged 40-50 years. The multivariate analysis shows: A strong Type A behavior-Job-Stress relationship; An important relationship between employment grade, educational attainment and--to a lesser extent--, marital status and, overall Type A behavior, Speed and Impatience and Job-Involvement, A weak relationship between cholesterol and triglycerides (not found in univariate analysis), and, overall Type A behavior; a small weak relationship between smoking habits, and, Speed and Impatience and Hard-Driving. A direct relationship between heavy physical activity during leisure-time and Job-Involvement.