Environmental Cardiology Pollution and Heart Disease [Hardcover]

This is the first comprehensive text on environmental cardiology. It describes how environmental factors impact on the genesis, severity and precipitation of heart disease and defines the main focus and boundaries of this emerging field. The book is essential reading for cardiologists, epidemiologists, and individuals involved in pollution control and urban planning. It is also sets the tone for productive dialogue between laboratory science, field studies and population research.Introduction POLLUTANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Particle toxicity Ambient particulate matter: characteristics Ultrafine particles Diesel and automobile exhaust Aldehydes and related carbonyls Arsenic toxicity Metals and cardiovascular disease Manufactured nanoparticles CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES PM and cardiovascular mortility Cardiovascular disease risk due to pollutant exposure PM and Atherosclerosis (Epidemiology) Hypertension and vascular toxicity of PM Ultrafine air pollution and atherogenesis Pollutants and heart failure Arrthymias, sudden cardiac death and pollutant exposure PM and Ischemic heart disease Ambient air pollution and stroke Air pollution and diabetesAlthough it is widely recognized that environmental factors such as smoking, diet, exercise, and socioeconomic status affect the risk of cardiovascular disease, recent work showing the effects of other environmental factors provides a more complete assessment of the situation. This view has emerged from three developments. Firstly, there has been a sudden explosion in the prevalence of diabetes and obesity which indicates a strong environmental component. Secondly, there is an accumulation of evidence suggesting that most cases of these diseases could be prevented by healthy lifestyle choices. Finally, studies have shown that exposure to environmental pollutants has a significant effect on heart disease risk. This book is the first to provide a comprehensive account of the effects of pollutants on heart disease and to integratlc2