J Stroke.  2018 Jan;20(1):2-11. 10.5853/jos.2017.02894.

Air Pollution and Stroke

Affiliations
  • 1BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Anoop.Shah@ed.ac.uk

Abstract

The adverse health effects of air pollution have long been recognised; however, there is less awareness that the majority of the morbidity and mortality caused by air pollution is due to its effects on the cardiovascular system. Evidence from epidemiological studies have demonstrated a strong association between air pollution and cardiovascular diseases including stroke. Although the relative risk is small at an individual level, the ubiquitous nature of exposure to air pollution means that the absolute risk at a population level is on a par with "traditional" risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Of particular concern are findings that the strength of this association is stronger in low and middle income countries where air pollution is projected to rise as a result of rapid industrialisation. The underlying biological mechanisms through which air pollutants exert their effect on the vasculature are still an area of intense discussion. A greater understanding of the effect size and mechanisms is necessary to develop effective strategies at individual and policy levels to mitigate the adverse cardiovascular effects of air pollution.

Keyword

Air pollution; Stroke; Cardiovascular diseases; Public health

MeSH Terms

Air Pollutants
Air Pollution*
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular System
Epidemiologic Studies
Mortality
Public Health
Risk Factors
Stroke*
Air Pollutants
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