Chapter 5 Nanocarriers in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of disability and death in humans, and the incidence is increasing globally. The majority of CVDs are atherosclerotic in nature, resulting in cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, venous thromboembolism, peripheral vascular disease as well as myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, and stroke. Conventional therapy has successfully reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with heart diseases. Despite this advancement, traditional medicines are less effective and lack site specificity. Hence spurring interest in cutting-edge methods like nanocarrier systems, which have the potential to completely change the way CVDs are treated. Nanocarriers may influence the fundamental properties and biological activity of medicines because of their large surface area compared to volume ratio. Nanocarriers can have properties such as improved solubility and stability, improved pharmacokinetics and biodistribution, site-specific delivery of medicinal medicines, decreased toxicities, and controlled release. Nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, exosomes, nanofibers, carbon nanomaterials, dendrimers, and other new delivery systems for cardiovascular problems are being investigated. It has been reported that nanotechnology can effectively treat more than 50% of CVDs.