Abstract Body: Background
The air we breathe, along with the pollution it carries, has become an inseparable part of daily life for millions of people worldwide. Exposure to air pollutants has been linked to harmful effects on cardiovascular health.
Objective
We aim to evaluate and present the data on cause-specific cardiovascular hospitalizations due to various air pollutants.
Methods
We searched through PubMed and Google Scholar databases for literature from January 2019 to September 2024 using the keywords “air pollution and cardiovascular hospital admissions”. Studies of relevant design were included where cardiovascular hospital admission was the specific outcome, and one or more of the following exposures were investigated: PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, O₃ and CO. Only studies available in full text and in English language were included.
Results
A total of 248 studies were identified, out of which 37 studies met our inclusion criteria. There were 16 time-series studies, 9 case-crossover, 7 cohorts, 4 regression analyses and 1 cross-sectional study. Across all studies (n=37), exposure to PM_2.5 (n=23) showed the most consistent association with hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), with Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) (n=18) being the most common outcome. Sixteen studies reported that an increase in the concentration of PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and NO₂ was associated with a significant rise in the hospital admissions for overall CVD including IHD, Heart failure, Heart rhythm disturbances, Stroke and Hypertension. Hospital admissions for cerebrovascular events, particularly ischemic stroke, were more strongly associated with exposure to SO₂, CO and PM₁₀, among other pollutants. Similarly, hospital admissions for hypertension were more strongly associated with PM₁₀ exposure. O₃ and NO₂ exposure were closely linked to hospitalizations for IHD, among other CVD. Elderly populations were more susceptible to effects of air pollutant exposure. Hospital admissions also showed seasonal variations due to changing air pollutant levels throughout the year.
Conclusion
Our study highlights the importance of air pollution as a major contributor to hospital admissions due to CVD. These findings amplify the need for public health interventions to reduce air pollutant levels, essential to mitigate the burden of cardiovascular diseases and improve overall health and quality of life. Additional studies are needed to better understand the impact of various air pollutants on cardiovascular outcomes.