Editorial: The interplay between oxidative stress, immune cells and inflammation in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) constitute the leading causes of death and reduced quality of life worldwide. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), various immune cells and cytokines participate in crucial signalling pathways implicated in the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. Dysregulated ROS production and immune system activation have been widely demonstrated to lead to the development of CVDs, hypertension, target organ damage and cardiovascular complications (1, 2). Hypertension is a major risk factor leading to the development of cardiovascular diseases and target organ damage, including hypertensive heart disease. This pathology leads to abnormalities of the heart, involving changes in the structure and function of the left ventricle, the left atrium and coronary arteries. Masenga and Kirabo nicely summarised the current knowledge about hypertensive heart disease, highlighting this cardiac pathology's mechanisms, complications, and implications. In their comprehensive review, published in the current issue, they focused specifically on left ventricular hypertrophy, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and coronary heart disease, and current and future therapies targeting these complications.