About Cardiology and Vascular Disease

The heart and blood vessels are responsible for carrying oxygen, nutrients, and waste products around the body to where they are to be used, or disposed of. The circulation of the blood is driven by the heart's action, so that heart disease has far-reaching effects on the body's well being.

Arterial disorders are dominated by atherosclerosis, a condition in which the inside wall of the artery becomes thicker and less elastic, and blood flow is reduced. Cholesterol and similar substances called lipoproteins attach themselves to the linings of the arteries, where they gradually thicken into a substance called plaque. A heart attack (myocardial infarction, or MI), or stroke may result.

Disorders of the venous side of the circulation include varicose veins and deep venous thrombosis; the latter may be responsible for a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that breaks off and lodges in the veins of the lung).

Cardiology and Vascular Diseases Clinical Trials at Novartis

Novartis is developing new drugs in several important areas of cardiovascular disease. Some of these include:

High blood pressure (hypertension)
This condition usually causes no symptoms, unless the pressure gets extremely high; it's therefore often called the "silent killer". Middle-aged Americans face a 90% chance of developing high blood pressure at some time during the rest of their lives. About half of those who already have hypertension are not being treated, and a quarter of them are being treated inadequately. Over time the elevated pressure causes damage to the blood vessels and to the organs the vessels supply with blood. This can result in stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, heart failure and damage to the eye, called retinopathy.

Heart failure
This occurs when the heart can't pump out enough blood to meet the needs of the body. Any form of heart disease (coronary artery disease, a heart attack, heart valve disease) as well as severe high blood pressure may lead to heart failure, which results in a reduced ability to exercise and, in severe cases, interferes with daily activities.

Coronary artery disease
Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries (the arteries supplying the heart muscle) can lead to angina, or a heart attack. Lifestyle changes (exercise, nutritional changes, weight control) can reduce or slow the atherosclerotic changes responsible for coronary artery disease. New medications that may assist with control of underlying high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and/or dyslipidemia are being investigated.

Dyslipidemia
Although cholesterol gets the most attention as a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, there are several measurable blood lipids that can be present in abnormal amounts in dyslipidemia - total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides are the main ones. Elevation of any (or, in the case of HDL- cholesterol, reduction) represents increased cardiovascular risk. Newer therapies targeting the specific changes requiring correction are being investigated.

If you are interested in learning more about other disease areas or therapeutic areas of Novartis clinical research, please select from the list below.

• Arthritis, Rheumatology and Bone Health Clinical Trial Information


• Cancer and Oncology Clinical Trial Information


• Cardiology and Vascular Diseases Clinical Trial Information


• Diabetes Clinical Trial Information


• Dermatology Clinical Trial Information


• Gastroenterology and Digestive Diseases Clinical Trial Information


• Neurology Clinical Trial Information


• Ophthalmology and Eye Diseases Clinical Trial Information


• Respiratory Clinical Trial Information


• Novartis Medical and Clinical Research