Polluted Air and Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk

In a 10-year U.S. study, greater concentration of fine particulates in the air was significantly associated with progression of serially measured coronary artery calcium.

Particulate air pollution is associated with cardiovascular risk, but most studies of the association have not assessed long-term outcomes. In a 10-year prospective study, investigators analyzed data from 6795 individuals (age range, 45–84) participating in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution, who underwent serial measurements of coronary artery calcium (CAC; by computed tomography) and carotid-artery intima-media thickness (CIMT; by ultrasound).

The concentration of fine-particulate matter <2.5 µm in diameter (PM_2.5) was significantly associated with CAC progression (by 4.1 Agatston units for each 5-µg PM_2.5 increase) but not with CIMT progression.

Reviewing Author

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime

EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science

Grant/Research SupportPfizer; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Janssen Research and Development, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Engineering; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute; American Heart Association

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardUnited Healthcare; Element Science; Eyedentifeye, F-Prime

EquityHugo Health; Refactor Health; Element Science

Polluted Air and Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk

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Reviewing Author