Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Risk

Exposure differences within cities matter, according to Women’s Health Initiative data.

The Women's Health Initiative Observational Study, a study of postmenopausal women age 50 to 79, gave investigators an opportunity to elucidate the effect of air pollution on the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The current analysis included the 65,893 subjects who were free of CVD at baseline, returned a follow-up questionnaire annually, and could be matched by residence area to a nearby measurement of particulate matter (obtained by the Environmental Protection Agency).

During follow-up (median, 6 years), 1816 subjects had a first cardiovascular event (MI, revascularization, stroke, or death from either coronary heart disease or cerebrovascular disease). Each 10-μg/m³ increase in the level of PM_2.5 (particulate matter <2.5 μm in diam…

Reviewing Author

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM