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New Research Warns Air Pollution Can Trigger Deadly Heart Disease
A study of over 11,000 adults found long-term exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide increases coronary artery disease risk by up to 23%, with sex-specific effects noted.
- Researchers in Toronto used cardiac CT data to show that higher long-term air pollution exposure is associated with more coronary artery disease on exams across three major hospitals, presented at RSNA.
- Air pollution is a major global health burden, contributing to 2.46 million cardiovascular deaths in 2021, with Canadian research teams finding risks even below regulatory air-quality standards.
- Linking postal codes to decade-long exposure data, the study showed each 1 microgram per cubic meter increase in long-term PM2.5 was associated with an 11% rise in calcium score, 13% greater plaque odds, and 23% higher obstructive disease odds.
- In sex-specific analyses, researchers found women had higher calcium scores and artery narrowing linked to PM2.5, while men showed more plaque burden; Felipe Castillo Aravena said `Even at low exposure levels, air pollution is associated with more plaque in the coronary arteries`.
- Reported on December 4, 2025 at RSNA, the findings highlight PM2.5 particle characteristics as around 30 times thinner than a human hair, supporting biological plausibility for lung-to-bloodstream penetration amid heart disease as the leading cause of death globally.
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Long-term air pollution exposure linked to more advanced coronary artery disease
Long-term exposure to common air pollutants is associated with more advanced coronary artery disease-with notable differences between women and men-according to a large-scale study of more than 11,000 adults being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
·United States
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Air pollution linked to more severe heart disease
Long-term exposure to common air pollutants is associated with more advanced coronary artery disease—with notable differences between women and men—according to a large-scale study of more than 11,000 adults presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 30%
C 60%
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