Not long ago, climate
change was a fringe topic, dismissed by many as only affecting rare species.
However, recent studies reveal a grim reality: the Global Burden of Disease
study estimated that in 2019, 9 million people died prematurely due to air
pollution, with 61.9% of these deaths linked to cardiovascular diseases. This
underscores the urgent need to recognize climate change as not just a global
concern but a direct threat to cardiovascular health.
The Impact of Climate
Change on Cardiovascular Health:
Hypertension and
Environmental Factors:
One mechanism through
which climate change affects cardiovascular health is the increased incidence
and exacerbation of hypertension. Rios et al. synthesized literature, pointing
out factors such as air pollution, lack of green spaces, infection risk,
physical inactivity, temperature variations, noise pollution, disturbance of
circadian rhythm, and limited healthcare access.
Air Quality and
Cardiovascular Risk:
The bidirectional
relationship between air pollution and climate change is explored by Alahmad et
al. They illustrate how air pollution heightens the risk of myocardial
infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death through events like wildfires,
dust storms, the "climate penalty," secondary pollutant formation,
and altered meteorological conditions.
Associations with
Atherosclerosis and Arrhythmias:
Bennett et al. establish
strong associations between air pollution and atherosclerosis, detailing the
risk of arrhythmias with chronic exposure. The pathways include inflammation,
oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cardiac structural changes, and
altered ion channel function.
Noise Pollution's Role in
Cardiovascular Health:
Münzel et al. shed light
on the often-overlooked influence of noise pollution, particularly
traffic-related noise. The review discusses its association with ischemic heart
disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and stroke, elucidating the physiological
mechanisms leading to stress response activation, inflammation, oxidative
stress, and endothelial dysfunction.
Mitigation Strategies
for Cardiovascular Health:
The blog emphasizes
several mitigation strategies, including patient education, public health
response improvements, and adopting an environmental stewardship role. Khetan
and Al-Kindi provide tips for adapting to environmental risks, while Gagnon et
al. outline guidelines for safe physical activity in extreme weather
conditions.
Education as a
Cornerstone:
Recognizing education as
a cornerstone, Al-Thalji et al. describe how to integrate environmental
cardiology into medical education. This aims to create climate-smart
cardiovascular health care providers, raise awareness, and foster climate
change advocacy within the cardiovascular community through various educational
formats.
Conclusion:
Climate change is a
significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and events. This blog,
inspired by the Canadian Journal of Cardiology's focus issue, offers a comprehensive
overview of how climate change impacts cardiovascular health and provides
practical advice for healthcare providers to become climate-smart advocates for
cardiovascular well-being. As the threat intensifies, it is imperative to
address the intersection of climate change and cardiovascular health for the
benefit of our patients and the broader population.
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