23 Jan 2024 • In a large nationwide study tracking individuals post-CABG, a significant link between air pollution and increased CV risks emerged.

• The study, focusing on particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), found that individuals exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 faced an increased relative risk of MACEs, including MI, stroke, or cardiovascular death.
• 10-year MACE rates were significantly higher among those exposed to high ambient PM2.5 air pollution levels.
• The median PM2.5 exposure level was 7.9 μg/m3, substantially above the World Health Organization's recommended maximum of 5 μg/m3. Intriguingly, reducing PM2.5 to this recommended level could potentially lower 10-year MACE rates.

To improve long-term health quality for patients post-CABG, we must investigate the impact of nontraditional risk factors like air pollution in greater details.

Source: JACC | Read full story