Acromegaly and Cardiovascular Disease: Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Cardiovascular Prognosis, and Therapeutic Impact.

Acromegaly is a chronic disease characterized by the excessive production of growth hormone (GH), resulting in elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). It is associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias and acromegalic cardiomyopathy, which are major contributors to morbidity and mortality in patients with acromegaly. Providing a comprehensive analysis of the cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases associated with acromegaly, as well as examining their impact on prognosis and therapeutic strategies that can improve cardiovascular health in these patients, is key to understanding the magnitude of the problem and optimizing clinical management. The presence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes (with a prevalence ranging from 22.3% to 76.8%), hypertension (from 18% to 77%), and dyslipidemia (up to 61%) is worsened by disease activity and duration, increasing the likelihood of adverse cardiovascular events. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are critical to alleviating these complications, as the normalization of GH and IGF-1 levels can improve cardiovascular prognosis. In addition, comprehensive management, including the control of cardiovascular risk factors and regular assessment of cardiac function, is essential. Data suggest that with appropriate treatment, the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke can be similar to that in the general population. In conclusion, paying careful attention to cardiovascular complications in patients with acromegaly will not only enhance their quality of life, but may also increase their life expectancy through the effective management of comorbidities associated with this disease.