title: Cardiac risk factors: environmental, sociodemographic, and behavioral cardiovascular risk factors.
abstract: Several environmental exposures are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Exposure to secondhand smoke may increase the risk by as much as 25% to 30%. Exposure to third hand smoke, residual components of tobacco smoke that remain in the environment after a cigarette is extinguished, also appears to increase risk. These residual components can remain in rooms and automobiles for up to 30 years and enter the body through the skin or via inhalation or ingestion. Exposure to particulate matter air pollution from automobile emissions, power plants, and other sources is yet another environmental risk factor for CHD, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths annually in the United States. Exposure to other environmental toxins, particularly bisphenol A and phthalates, also has been linked to CHD. There are sociodemographic risks for CHD, with numerous studies showing that lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher risk. Behavioral risk factors include poor diet, such as frequent consumption of fast food and processed meals; sleep disturbance; and psychological stress, particularly related to marital or work issues. Finally, although high alcohol consumption is associated with increased CHD risk, moderate alcohol consumption (ie, less than 1 to 2 drinks/day), particularly of wine and possibly beer, appears to reduce the risk.
authors.affiliation: Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, 111 Brewster St, Pawtucket, RI 02903, david_anthony@brown.edu.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903, Paul_George@Brown.EDU.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903, Charles_Eaton@Brown.EDU.
authors.forename: Charles B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Eaton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects; D010636:Phenols / Q000009:adverse effects; D044382:Population Groups; D012307:Risk Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D052638:Particulate Matter; D010636:Phenols; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds