Understanding the Links Between Cardiovascular Disease and Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Studies investigating the associations between genetic or environmental factors and Parkinson's disease (PD) have uncovered a number of factors shared with cardiovascular disease, either as risk factors or manifestations of cardiovascular disease itself. Older age, male sex, and possibly type 2 diabetes are examples. On the other hand, coffee consumption and physical activity are each associated with a lower risk of both PD and cardiovascular disease. This observation raises questions about the underlying pathophysiological links between cardiovascular disease and PD. There is evidence for common mechanisms in the areas of glucose metabolism, cellular stress, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. On the other hand, smoking and total/low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol appear to have opposite associations with cardiovascular disease and PD. Thus, it is uncertain whether the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors will impact on the onset or progression of PD. The available data suggest that a nuanced approach is necessary to manage risk factors such as cholesterol levels once the associations are better understood. Ultimately, the choice of therapy may be tailored to a patient's comorbidity profile. This review presents the epidemiological evidence for both concordant and discordant associations between cardiovascular disease and PD, discusses the cellular and metabolic processes that may underlie these links, and explores the implications this has for patient care and future research. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Apitherapy for Parkinson’s Disease: A Focus on the Effects of Propolis and Royal Jelly

“…Existing knowledge emphasizes an association between PD and cardiac disorders as they share common pathologies such as inflammation, cellular stress, and impaired metabolism of lipids and glucose. Meanwhile, coffee consumption and physical activity seem to be protective against both conditions [ 111 ]. Common autonomic symptoms in PD patients (e.g., orthostatic hypotension) interfere with activities of daily living, limit physical activity, and heighten the risk of falls, hospitalization, and mortality [ 112 ].…”

The Role of Intermittent Fasting in Parkinson's Disease

“…There is increasing focus on interventions targeting mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease (25). Many mitochondrial-targeted therapies are based on the concept of hormesis, defined as any process by which there is a biphasic response to increasing quantities and frequency of a given exposure (26). Hormesis is beneficial in conditions where smaller exposure leads to a beneficial or favorable response, and larger exposure leads to negative or toxic consequences (2).…”

Clinical Study of Thirty Patients with Parkinson Disease and Associated Pathology

“…Low blood pressure was observed just in one patient. Potashkin et al [21], suggest to take into account cardiovascular diseases, either as risk factors or the presence in the patient of a cardiovascular disease. Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension or hypertension are due to sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction [22,23].…”