Air pollution exposure as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality

Abstract

There is growing evidence of an association between increasing exposure to air pollutants (both short-term and long-term exposures) and elevated risk of mortality and incidence of cardiovascular diseases in certain high-risk populations and throughout different geographic regions. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of air pollutant-induced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are actively being studied, with autonomic system dysregulation and inflammatory pathway activation believed to be among the key culprits. Policy changes at the local and global levels are addressing the need for more stringent air pollution standards. These initiatives are projected to lower costs and improve health outcomes. In this review, we examine some major studies of the cardiovascular health impacts of air pollution.