Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for nearly 18 million deaths annually. The burden is disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries. Emerging data has identified pollution as a major, yet preventable, contributor to global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Nearly 99% of the world’s population is exposed to air pollution levels that exceed World Health Organization guidelines, with risks amplified in developing regions. Air pollutants—particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, and nitrogen oxides—are strongly associated with hypertension, atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, and stroke. Long-term exposure accelerates coronary calcification and contributes substantially to the global burden of diabetes mellitus. Climate change and fossil fuel combustion further intensify these hazards.
Beyond air pollution, contaminants in soil and water—including microplastics, nanoplastics, phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), pesticides, and heavy metals—pose additional cardiovascular threats. These pollutants trigger oxidative stress, endothelial injury, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction, increasing the risk of hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerotic disease. Emerging research demonstrating the bioaccumulation of microplastics in human tissues, including the brain, raises growing concern regarding long-term cardiovascular and neurological implications.
Noise pollution is increasingly recognized as the second most harmful environmental threat, after air pollution. Chronic exposure to transportation, industrial, and urban noise disrupts sleep, activates the sympathetic nervous system, and is linked to hypertension, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, and metabolic disease. Estimates suggest that millions of disability-adjusted life years are lost globally due to noise-related cardiovascular effects.
Mitigation requires a coordinated approach at individual, societal, and governmental levels. Personal strategies include cleaner household energy sources, proper ventilation, HEPA filtration, N95 use during high-pollution events, and reducing single-use plastics. Policy-level actions—such as strengthening clean air and clean water regulations, enforcing noise control measures, and expanding access to renewable energy—are essential to curb environmental exposures.
Given the substantial and growing impact of environmental pollutants, urgent action is needed to promote awareness, implement evidence-based interventions, and reduce pollution-related cardiovascular disease worldwide.
