Decreasing exposure to air pollution and cardiovascular risk in aged-adults: Practical recommendations for health care professionals and public health officials

Exposure to air pollutants causes short-term and long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Adverse short-term effects such as myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure and arrhythmia contribute to social and economic burdens for individuals, families and communities particularly among the 80 million in the U.S. having some form of heart disease. This is particularly relevant to aged-adults where some form of cardiovascular disease (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and hypertension) is present in 72% of those between 60 and 80 years old, and greater than 80% in those >80 years old. Importantly aged-adults, and those having prevalent CVD, diabetes, and obesity are at higher risk for the adverse cardiovascular effects of air pollutants and constitute a clinical cohort meriting education aimed at decreasing exposure and attendant risk from air pollution exposure. Yet, while advocacy and awareness campaigns continue to educate aged-adults about the risks of heart disease, few are aware of environmental triggers that can harm those living with some form of CV disease or DM, and this includes physicians and other health care professionals. Specific recommendations are now available at the US EPA's www.airnow.org website and from an expert clinical panel sponsored by the American Heart Association to guide health care professionals and public health officials to improve environmental health literacy among the aged and high-risk individuals with the expectation that personal action to reduce exposure under the appropriate condition will decrease adverse cardiovascular events during air pollution episodes.