Environmental influences on cardiovascular health.

A growing body of evidence indicates that the respiratory system is not the only target organ that may be injured by the inhalation of airborne particulate matter. Increased attention is now focused on research showing a link between particulate matter air pollution and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, raising complex questions about the mechanism by which dirty air affects the heart. At the same time, the population at risk of cardiovascular continues to grow, including the obese, overweight, hypertensive and senior citizens. This pervasive and growing public health and medical care issue elevates into sharp relief the need for physicians and other healthcare practitioners to understand the clinical consequences exposure to particulate air pollution. This review is designed to further that understanding.