[Global warming : a cardiovascular risk factor in it's own right]

Global warming and the accompanying environmental changes now represent a major determinant of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Data from the Global Burden of Disease rank air pollution among the leading causes of death worldwide, with a predominance of cardiovascular events. Chronic exposure to fine particulate matter promotes the development and progression of atherosclerosis, while pollution spikes and extreme temperature variations act as triggers for acute events such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS), strokes, and arrhythmias. It is important to emphasize that 18-20 % of ACS cases occur in the absence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting the involvement of environmental factors.