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Environmental Factors in Heart Disease
Sponsored by APS Cardiovascular Section
Thermal and Environmental Stress Tracks

This symposium addresses the new emergent field of environmental cardiology.  Accumulating evidence indicates that an increase in particulate air pollution is associated with an increase in acute myocardial infarction.  High levels of air pollution are also associated with a net decrease in life span, increased atherogenesis and increased cardiopulmonary mortality. An increase in the risk of cardiac deaths is also associated with exposure to other components of air pollutants such as ozone, nitrates, sulfates, metals and aldehydes.  Participants in this symposium will discuss their latest findings related to the effects of pollutants on plasma lipids, atherosclerosis and an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Bhatnagar will discuss the mechanisms by which exposure to pollutant aldehydes induces dyslipidmia and exacerbates atherogenesis in mice. Dr. Brook will discuss the contribution of  air pollution to hypertension and the mechanisms by which exposure to particulate air pollution and ozone affects blood pressure.   Dr. Jesus will talk about the effects of particulate air pollution of atherosclerotic lesion formation and Dr. Mittleman will review evidence and present his work on the association between pollutant exposure and stroke.  Collectively, the symposium will provide an in depth view and discussion on whether pollutant exposure is a new risk factor for the development of heart disease.