Polish Journal of Public Health

Original Article, Pol J Public Health, Vol. 133 (2023): 11-15

Edyta Karolina Witkowska¹, Marcin Ciechański¹, Agnieszka Ostańska²,
Adrianna Szafrar², Wiktor Terelak², Klaudia Wiśniewska², Laura Piasek²,
Grzegorz Godek³, Kacper Więcław⁴, Katarzyna Stańko⁵

¹ Student, Medical University of Lublin, Poland

² SP ZOZ MSWiA in Lublin, Poland

³ City Hospital in Ruda Śląska, Poland

⁴ Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński’s Regional Specialist Hospital in Lublin, Poland

⁵ The Independent Public Hospital No. 4 in Lublin, Poland

 10.12923/2083-4829/2023-0003

© 2023  Medical University of Lublin. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonComercial-No Derivs licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/)

Abstract

Introduction. Air pollution is any chemical, physical or biological agent that alters the natural composition of the atmosphere. It is the cause of many respiratory, circulatory and nervous system diseases, as well as the occurrence of allergies, cancer and fertility problems.
Aim. The purpose of this study was to summarize the effects of polluted air on the cardiovascular system. This impact is associated with the whole spectrum of negative effects from additional hospitalizations to premature deaths.
Materials and methods. A review of the literature available in the PubMed database was conducted published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Environment Agency (EEA). 
Basic results. Air pollution is a real threat to the cardiovascular system. The human population is constantly exposed to the toxins in the air we breathe from tobacco smoke and fireplace smoking to industrial emissions and volcanic eruptions. It is not just a problem for large metropolitan areas, but a huge global problem. It is worth noting that polluted air is not only outside, but also indoors where we live despite our supposed sense of security. 

Conclusions. This is a huge problem that cannot be ignored, and a public health challenge. It is important to constantly raise awareness of the magnitude of the problem, take action on many levels and promote prevention to minimize exposure as much as possible and continue to improve air quality.

Keywords: air pollution, cardiovascular disease, particulate matter, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia.