Coronary microvascular and endothelial function regulation: Crossroads of psychoneuroendocrine immunitary signals and quantum physics [Part A]

Abstract

Nowadays the heart can be considered as a psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunitary structure that constantly interacts with other organs through a dynamic dialogue made of neurotpeptides, hormones and cytokines. The exploration of microvascular function is important as predictive tool and as prognosis of cardiovascular risk and progression of heart failure. This review describes the present knowledge on whether neurotramitters, hormones and cytokines influence microvascular/endothelial function and its genetic and epigenetic background. The review, describing the rich network of connections acting every moment of our lives linking endothelial function to the psychophysical environment, leads then to the description of an endothelial cell functioning, with the look of quantum physics. All this allows to describe some actual scientific methodological and epistemiological problems that remain to be resolved in order to fully understand endothelial function regulation, and future research, prevention and treatment directions. In the end, we describe the “Integrative Medicine” approach (and its beneficial influences on endothelial function regulation) that has emerged as a potential solution to the crisis in the healthcare system of western countries. It provides care that is patient-centered and healing-oriented, stressing the use of treatments originating from both conventional and alternative medicine.