This review is devoted to the role of various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs): coronary artery disease (CAD), arterial hypertension (AH), chronic heart failure (CHF). Modern concepts of MMP classification are presented, and the mechanism of action of the main representatives of their various groups is characterized. The general pathogenesis of CVDs with an emphasis on the pathophysiological mechanism of action of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors is considered, and special cases of pathogenetic mechanisms of pathology development are discussed. The role of certain metalloproteinases in assessing the development of myocardial and vascular wall lesions in various CVDs is described. Particular attention is paid to the genetic mechanisms of regulation of metalloproteinase activity and their inhibitors. The review highlights the main polymorphic variations that lead to the development of cardiovascular pathology or directly correlate with the development of a particular disease of the cardiological spectrum. An assessment of the feasibility of using metalloproteinases as markers for disease detection is provided.

Keywords: metalloproteinases, arterial hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, genetics