Six studies evaluating influence of environmental factors on CV health

From regular exposure to pesticides or air pollution to cataclysmic events such as earthquakes or wildfires, environmental conditions can have a powerful influence on CV health in both the short and long term. Cardiology Today has compiled six articles on recent studies exploring the potential CV effects of these factors.

1. Higher outdoor temperatures appear to be associated with lower BP

In an analysis of data collected from 101,377 Dutch whole blood and plasma donors, researchers reported a significant association between increasing mean daily temperature and decreasing systolic and diastolic BP, after adjustment for confounders. They wrote that the link between BP and increased temperature may partially explain the increased risk for CV-related mortality that occurs during extreme weather conditions. Read more

2. Acute MI prevalence increased in Japan following a major earthquake

Researchers found that the increase in acute MI events that occurred following a magnitude-9.0 earthquake in northeastern Japan in 2011 varied according to the seismic scale of the earthquake and each aftershock.

The risk for acute MI in the area affected by the earthquake doubled within the 4 weeks after the event, with weekly variations in the incidence rate that were closely related to the weekly maximum seismic activity, they wrote. Read more

3. Long-term exposure to traffic noise linked with increased mortality risk

Participants in a study published in European Heart Journal who were exposed to a greater amount of road traffic noise during the daytime were at slightly but significantly increased risk for mortality and hospitalization related to stroke. Elderly adults were also at increased risk for stroke-related hospitalization with increased exposure to nighttime traffic noise. Read more

4. Exposure to wildfire smoke may confer increased risk for CV events.

Results from this study, which included data compiled from three registries within Victoria, Australia during a period of severe wildfires, indicated that exposure to higher levels of fine particulate matter resulting from the fires increased risk for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and ischemic heart disease, particularly among older adults. Read more

5. The use of indoor air purifiers may yield cardiopulmonary benefits in polluted urban environments.

In this randomized, double-blind, crossover study, researchers found that young, healthy adults living in Shanghai derived cardiopulmonary benefits from short-term use of indoor air purifiers. Participants who received the air purifier intervention exhibited significant reductions in several inflammatory and thrombogenic biomarkers, as well as decreases in diastolic and systolic BP. Read more

6. Exposure to pesticides may elevate CVD risk among premenopausal women.

Results from a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism indicated that exposure to DDT and similar pesticides may lead to the accumulation of environmental estrogens in fat tissue, increasing risk for CVD among premenopausal women. Read more