Environmental factors and cardiovascular health
A new European Society of Cardiology consensus statement, co-authored by Prof. Thomas F. Lüscher, highlights the growing impact of environmental exposures –including air pollution, noise, heat, chemical pollutants and light pollution – on cardiovascular health. Drawing on evidence from epidemiological and experimental studies, the statement shows that these factors contribute to coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias and hypertension, including at exposure levels below current regulatory thresholds.
The authors emphasize the cumulative effects of environmental exposures across the lifespan and the particular vulnerability of children, older adults, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations and people with cardiovascular disease. The statement calls for stronger research, healthier urban environments, stricter environmental policies and closer collaboration between clinicians, researchers and policymakers to reduce the cardiovascular burden of environmental risks.