Prospective cohort study on the relationship between long-term air pollution exposure and risk of myocardial infarction

The relationship between long-term air pollution exposure and risk of myocardial infarction is of interest. Hence, this five-year prospective cohort study examined 132 adults between the ages of 40 and 65 to determine whether long-term exposure to air pollutants (PM2.5, NO₂, and SO₂) was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Participants who lived in metropolitan regions with high pollution levels had a noticeably higher incidence of MI than those who lived in locations with low exposure levels. According to adjusted risk models, PM2.5 is the most reliable independent predictor of MI incidence. High-exposure individuals also showed significantly higher levels of biomarkers of systemic inflammation. In order to reduce cardiovascular risks, the results highlight the necessity of strict air quality restrictions.