Prevention of disease progression throughout the cardiovascular continuum

Despite remarkable therapeutic achievements in medicine, cardiovascular diseases remain the major cause of death in the new millennium. The cardiovascular disease continuum starts with risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and lipid disorders, leading to coronary artery disease or left ventricular hypertrophy. Left ventricular dysfunction and remodelling follow after initial myocardial damage (e. g. myocardial infarction), finally leading to the development of heart failure. This book gives an overview of the effects of antiadrenergic treatment in the different stages of the cardiovascular continuum, with a particular emphasis on heart failure, authored by a faculty of leading international clinical cardiologists. TOC: The Cardiovascular Continuum-Pathophysiology and Targets for Therapy.- Anti-Adrenergic Therapy in Hypertensive Patients with Concomitant Disease.- The Effects of ß Blockade on the Cardiovascular System-Not all ß Blockers are Created Equal.- The Role of Multiple Adrenergic Blockade in Coronary Artery Disease and Myocardial Infarction.- Epidemiology and Problems with Diagnosis of Heart Failure.- The Future of the Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Heart Failure.- Are All ß Blockers the Same for Heart Failure? Insights From Clinical Trials and Future Research Directions.- Broadbase Experience with Anti-Adrenergic Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure Patients in Daily Practice.- Adrenergic Blockade in Heart Failure-Official Guidelines and Practical Recommendations on Optimal Use.- The Future of Heart Failure Management.