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Exposomic Determinants of Atherosclerosis: Recent Evidence
Omar Hahad1,2, Usman Sagheer3, Khurram Nasir4
1Department of Cardiology - Cardiology I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Current Atherosclerosis Reports
|January 22, 2025
Summary
Environmental exposures, including air pollution and noise, negatively impact cardiovascular health by promoting atherosclerosis. Conversely, greenspace and walkability may offer protection, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Public Health
Background:
- The exposome encompasses all environmental exposures throughout life, with growing interest in its health implications.
- Atherosclerosis, a primary driver of cardiovascular disease, is increasingly linked to environmental factors.
- Understanding the exposome's role is crucial for developing effective cardiovascular disease prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on the effects of environmental exposures on atherosclerosis.
- To examine specific factors including air pollution, noise, greenspace, walkability, and metallic pollutants.
- To synthesize current knowledge on the exposome-atherosclerosis relationship.
Main Methods:
- Non-systematic review of current scientific literature.
- Analysis of studies investigating environmental factors and their impact on cardiovascular health markers.
- Focus on recent findings regarding air pollution, noise, greenspace, walkability, and metallic pollutants.
Main Results:
- Long-term exposure to air pollution (particulate matter) and nighttime traffic noise damages endothelial function and increases vascular damage.
- Increased greenspace and neighborhood walkability are associated with reduced arterial stiffness, indicating protective cardiovascular effects.
- Metallic pollutants (lead, cadmium, arsenic) are linked to early atherosclerosis via oxidative stress mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors significantly influence atherosclerosis development through pathways like oxidative stress, inflammation, and sympathetic activation.
- Mitigating harmful exposures (air pollution, noise) and promoting beneficial ones (greenspace) are vital for cardiovascular health.
- Further research, aided by technologies like AI and remote sensing, is needed to understand pollutant interactions and their precise contribution to atherosclerosis.
