title: PM2.5 and Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly: An Overview.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the elderly and the ambient concentration of PM2.5 has been associated with several cardiovascular diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the present state of planetary air pollution, analyze epidemiological studies linking PM2.5 and CVD, and discuss multiple pathophysiological mechanisms linking PM2.5 and CVD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A few epidemiological studies show that the elderly appear specifically susceptible to adverse cardiovascular effects triggered by PM2.5 exposure. Plausible pathophysiological mechanisms include inflammatory dysfunction, oxidative stress, abnormal activation of the hemostatic system and disturbance of the autonomic nervous system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An in-depth knowledge of the chemical compounds, pathophysiological mechanisms, and epidemiological studies of PM2.5 are recommended to understand this important and modifiable factor contributing to geriatric CVD burden. We offer public health recommendations to reduce this preventable cause of disease and death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China. 2434009969@qq.com.
authors.forename: Chenchen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China. 501875090@qq.com.
authors.forename: Yifan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The First People's Hospital of Kunshan Affiliated to Jiangsu University, 91 Qianjin West Road, Kunshan 215132, China. zongliang-yu@163.com.
authors.forename: Zongliang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang 212013, China. lurz@mail.ujs.edu.cn.|Center of Experimental Research, The First People's Hospital of Kunshan Affiliated to Jiangsu University, 91 Qianjin West Road, Kunshan 215132, China. lurz@mail.ujs.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Rongzhu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Cardiovascular disease (CVD); PM2.5; susceptibility; the elderly