sis get started in the body. One focus of such
research is on INSULIN, which has numerous roles
in the body beyond regulating glucose balance.
Insulin appears to be a key factor in many func-
tions related to cardiovascular health and disease,
including cholesterol metabolism and cell activity.
Cardiology in the coming decades promises to
be an intriguing blend of high-tech solutions and
simple lifestyle methods. With other advances in
medicine eliminating many of the circumstances
that have historically resulted in early death, such
as INFECTION, today’s generations may be the first
to fully experience the capacity of the cardiovas-
cular system to sustain life well into the eighth
decade and beyond, pushing LIFE EXPECTANCY as
well as QUALITY OF LIFEto new levels.8 The Cardiovascular System