On pathogenesis of coronary heart disease

Being overweight (OW) was recognized very early as a risk factor for corona ry heart disease (CHD). Its significance in the pathogenesis of CHD has bee n strengthened by observations showing that OW is responsible for the devel opment of diabetes, hypertension and lipid disorders due to its induction o f insulin resistance (IR). Its key role has been underlined further by rece nt studies indicating that OW causes endothelial dysfunction via elevated s erum fatty acids, which initiates the molecular events that further the pro cess of CHD. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance to determine its ro ots. The most probable reason for its high incidence is due to the genetic outfit of most people which does not permit adequate adaptation of the cere bral cortex according to the environmental changes which have occured since the early days.