Consolidated knowledge is accumulating as to the role of epigenetic regulatory 
mechanisms in the physiology of vascular development and vascular tone as well 
as in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. The modulation of gene 
expression through modification of the epigenome by structural changes of the 
chromatin architecture without alterations of the associated genomic DNA 
sequence is part of the cellular response to environmental changes. Such 
environmental conditions, which are finally being translated into adaptations of 
the cardiovascular system, also comprise pathological conditions such as 
atherosclerosis or myocardial infarction. This review summarizes recent findings 
on the epigenetics of vascular regulation and disease and presents nutritional 
and pharmacological approaches as novel epigenetic strategies in the prevention 
and treatment of cardiovascular disease.