Environmental risk factors and cardiovascular health

May 7, 2026European heart journal

How environmental risks relate to heart and blood vessel health

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Abstract

Environmental exposures such as air pollution and noise may exacerbate cardiovascular disease, impacting conditions like coronary artery disease and stroke.

Environmental risk factors are increasingly recognized as contributors to cardiovascular disease but are underrepresented in clinical guidelines.
The review highlights shared pathophysiological mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and circadian disruption linked to various environmental exposures.
Epidemiological and experimental studies show these exposures may worsen heart conditions even at levels below current regulatory thresholds.
The exposome framework is proposed to understand the cumulative effects of environmental hazards on cardiovascular health.
Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, are particularly affected by these environmental risks.
The document emphasizes urgent research needs, including high-resolution exposure data and the exploration of gene-environment interactions.

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Environmental risk factors-air pollution, noise, heat, chemical contamination, and light pollution-are increasingly recognized as key contributors to cardiovascular disease but remain underrepresented in clinical guidelines and public health strategies. This comprehensive review, developed under the auspices of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), synthesizes current evidence on the cardiovascular consequences of environmental exposures. Building on prior ESC recommendations on air pollution, the consensus statement extends the focus to include climate change, urban heat islands, chemical pollutants, noise, and light pollution, highlighting their shared pathophysiological mechanisms: oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and circadian disruption. Epidemiological and experimental studies confirm that these exposures exacerbate the incidence of coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertension-even at levels below existing regulatory thresholds. It is proposed the exposome framework as a conceptual tool to understand the cumulative lifetime impact of environmental hazards on cardiovascular health. Special attention is given to vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. The document outlines urgent research needs, such as the need for high-resolution exposure data, exploration of gene-environment interactions and molecular pathways, and the development of real-world and mechanistic studies assessing interventions. Mitigation strategies are discussed across individual, clinical, and policy levels, with a call for heart-healthy urban design, stricter emissions legislation, and equitable access to clean environments. Cardiologists are uniquely positioned to advocate for environmental cardiovascular health, bridging the gap between science, clinical care, and policy. This statement aims to accelerate that translation by raising awareness and promoting action across disciplines.

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Environmental risk factors and cardiovascular health

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