Association between circulating oxidized low‐density lipoprotein and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Key Points

• To summarize the biological mechanisms, circulating measurement methods, and clinical relevance of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
• Reviewed biological pathways underlying the atherogenic actions of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in vascular tissues.
• Evaluated assays used to quantify circulating ox-LDL and summarized observational evidence linking ox-LDL levels to subclinical atherosclerosis and major clinical events.
• Assessed the therapeutic impact of lifestyle interventions and pharmacological therapies on circulating ox-LDL concentrations.
• Ox-LDL acts as a potent pro-atherogenic factor that drives plaque formation, arterial inflammation, and the progression of coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke.
• Observational studies consistently show that elevated levels of circulating ox-LDL associate with both subclinical atherosclerotic burden and overt clinical cardiovascular events.
• Medical treatments and lifestyle modifications effectively modulate circulating ox-LDL concentrations, offering actionable pathways for cardiovascular risk reduction.