Air pollution and cardiovascular disease: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science of the American Heart Association.
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.
Brook
Robert D
RD
Franklin
Barry
B
Cascio
Wayne
W
Hong
Yuling
Y
Howard
George
G
Lipsett
Michael
M
Luepker
Russell
R
Mittleman
Murray
M
Samet
Jonathan
J
Smith
Sidney C
SC
Tager
Ira
I
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
D000393:Air Pollutants; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D010126:Ozone; D002248:Carbon Monoxide