Environmental Pollution Now a Major Driver of Global Cardiovascular Disease

A comprehensive review in Cardiovascular Research highlights that pollution and environmental hazards—including air pollution, chemicals, plastics, noise, and extreme temperatures—are major contributors to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide. Air pollution alone accounts for roughly 8.3 million deaths annually, over half from CVD, while chemical exposures caused two million deaths in 2019. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and industrial toxins damage blood vessels, trigger atherosclerosis, and increase heart attack and stroke risk. Researchers stress that chemical pollutants should be addressed as urgently as traditional risk factors like smoking and poor diet. Policy interventions and stricter environmental regulations are essential to curb preventable deaths.

08-09-2025