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.
Highlights
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) include disorders of the heart and blood vessels, particular those supplying the brain
Both animal and human studies [20,21,22,23,24] have shown that inhaled particles may cause inflammation of the respiratory tract; in particular, PM2.5 inhalation can lead to the occurrence of systemic inflammation, increasing the risk of cardiovascular stress
While the majority of studies and expert-consensus opinions consistently agree that PM2.5 can increase the risk of CVD, it is noteworthy that some studies had not find relationships between PM2.5 and risk of CVD [63,64,65,66]
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) include disorders of the heart (arrhythmias, coronary vessel and vascular disease, heart failure) and blood vessels (peripheral arterial diseases and venous thrombosis), particular those supplying the brain (ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke). Together, these disorders constitute the leading cause of death across the globe, with low- and middle-income countries most heavily affected. We discuss plausible PM2.5-related pathophysiological mechanisms of CVD and epidemiological studies linking PM2.5 and CVD, especially in susceptible people, to make recommendations for future public health and reduce this avoidable cause of disease and death. The plausible pathophysiological mechanisms can be divided into the following several aspects [19]
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