Cardiovascular disease refers to the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels (arteries and veins). While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system, it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis (arterial disease). Chronic heart failure (CHF) has emerged as a major world-wide epidemic. This new and important book gathers the latest research in cardiovascular disease with a focus on such topics as: drug-induced valvular heart disease; cardiac pacing and cognition; oral bacteria in the hearts of patients with valvular disease; bicuspid aortic valve in athletes; chronic persistent infections as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease; rheumatic valvulopathy; shared susceptibility genes of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease; and others.