Evaluation of endothelial dysfunction (ED) as a systemic disease has gained increasing attention in view of its emerging relevance for cardiovascular control. ED as an important early sign of generalized vascular disease contributes to most forms of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) including hypertension and chronic heart failure.
ED reflects a vascular phenotype prone to the initiation and progression of atherogenesis and its complications. Atherosclerosis begins in childhood and ED as the precursor and earlies clinically detectable form of atherosclerosis can be demonstrated already in early childhood, through a long preclinical stage.