Juan S. Therán-León, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
Wilson Rueda-Álvarez, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
Gerson D. Rivera-Diaz, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
Paola A. Peñaranda-Hernández, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
Air pollution is a significant health threat, especially in urban areas, and is linked to cardiovascular disease according to World Health Organization and recent studies. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between exposure to air pollutants and the risk of cardiovascular disease, to support the implementation of air quality regulation policies. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Primary (PM2.5, PM10, NOx, SOx, VOC) and secondary (ozone, NO2) pollutants were identified as risk factors, linked to systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Mitigation strategies should focus on environmental regulation, emission reduction and public education. It is concluded that air pollution poses a serious risk to cardiovascular health, and further research and stringent policies are needed to reduce these risks and protect public health.
Keywords: Air pollution. Cardiovascular disease. PM2.5. Oxidative stress. Endothelial dysfunction.