title: Air pollution and cardiovascular disease: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science of the American Heart Association.
abstract: Air pollution is a heterogeneous, complex mixture of gases, liquids, and particulate matter. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a consistent increased risk for cardiovascular events in relation to both short- and long-term exposure to present-day concentrations of ambient particulate matter. Several plausible mechanistic pathways have been described, including enhanced coagulation/thrombosis, a propensity for arrhythmias, acute arterial vasoconstriction, systemic inflammatory responses, and the chronic promotion of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this statement is to provide healthcare professionals and regulatory agencies with a comprehensive review of the literature on air pollution and cardiovascular disease. In addition, the implications of these findings in relation to public health and regulatory policies are addressed. Practical recommendations for healthcare providers and their patients are outlined. In the final section, suggestions for future research are made to address a number of remaining scientific questions.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Brook
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cascio
authors.forename: Yuling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lipsett
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luepker
authors.forename: Murray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mittleman
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Samet
authors.forename: Sidney C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Ira
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tager
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D011640:Public Policy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D010126:Ozone; D002248:Carbon Monoxide