Healthy endothelium: The scientific basis for cardiovascular health promotion and chronic disease prevention

The vascular endothelium plays a critical role both in health and in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. This review explores the underlying role of normal endothelial function in core public health interventions for health promotion and in the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, as well as the application of endothelial science toward innovative public health programs and further research. Increased collaboration among basic scientists, clinician-investigators, prevention research centers, and all public health practitioners is needed to facilitate the translation of the endothelial science into practice.