Editorial: Epidemiology and clinical researches in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease

Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease and the common cause of heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease collectively referred to as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are the leading cause of global mortality and a major contributor to disability and rising health care costs. Additionally, a wealth of epidemiological data demonstrated that atherosclerosis risk factors, including (but not limited to) hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia are associated with other chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease, cognitive decline and dementia (1–6). The huge and still growing burden of CVD and dementia on individuals, families, and health-care systems indicates an urgent need for prevention and treatment measures on atherosclerotic diseases. Preventing severe atherosclerosis progression is expected to decrease high cardiovascular and dementia event rate.d