Air Pollution Linked to Subtle Heart Function Changes in Older Adults Without Preexisting Heart Disease
Publication Title: Association of PM2.5 With Cardiac Mechanics Using Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in the Cardiovascular Health Study
Summary
- Question
- This study investigated the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and subclinical changes in heart function in older adults without diagnosed cardiac disease. PM2.5 refers to tiny airborne particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, potentially causing harm to the heart.
- Why it Matters
- Air pollution is a leading environmental health threat, contributing to millions of deaths annually, primarily from cardiovascular diseases. While the link between PM2.5 exposure and severe heart conditions like heart failure is well established, its effects on early, subtle changes in heart function remain unclear. Understanding these changes could help detect cardiovascular risks earlier, leading to better prevention and management strategies, especially for vulnerable populations such as older adults.
- Methods
- The researchers analyzed data from 1,576 adults aged 65 to 92 years who participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a long-term study conducted across four U.S. counties. Participants had no history of major heart diseases. PM2.5 exposure was estimated based on residential air pollution levels from 1990 to 1995. Heart function was assessed using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE), a specialized imaging technique that measures myocardial strain, an indicator of heart muscle performance. The study focused on several strain parameters, including left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), which reflects the heart's ability to contract efficiently.
- Key Findings
- Higher PM2.5 exposure was associated with small but significant reductions in LVGLS, indicating subtle impairments in heart muscle function. Participants in the top three quartiles of PM2.5 exposure had a 31.7% higher likelihood of having abnormal LVGLS compared to those in the lowest quartile. Other strain parameters, such as early diastolic strain rate and left atrial reservoir strain, showed no significant differences between exposure groups.
- Implications
- These findings suggest that long-term exposure to PM2.5 may contribute to early, subclinical changes in heart function, even in individuals without diagnosed heart disease. This highlights the need for stricter air quality regulations and targeted public health interventions to reduce cardiovascular risks, particularly in older populations.
- Next Steps
- The authors recommend future studies using contemporary data to validate these findings and explore the long-term clinical consequences of PM2.5-related heart function changes. Prospective research could also investigate potential mechanisms and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to mitigate these risks.
- Funding Information
- This research was supported by contracts HHSN268201200036C, HHSN268200800007C, HHSN268201800001C, N01HC55222, N01HC85079, N01HC85080, N01HC85081, N01HC85082, N01HC85083, N01HC85086, and 75N92021D00006 and grants U01HL080295, U01HL130114, and R01AG023629 from the National Institutes of Health, including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute on Aging, with additional contribution from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Digitization and speckle-tracking analysis of echocardiograms was funded by grant R01HL107577 from the NHLBI. Air pollution data were provided by the CHS Ancillary Study on Air Pollutants and Cardiovascular Risk. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
Full Citation
Chang A, Kaufman J, Tan A, Shah S, Patel R, Margolis H, Psaty B, Gardin J, Al-Kindi S, Austin T, Odden M. Association of PM2.5 With Cardiac Mechanics Using Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in the Cardiovascular Health Study. JACC Cardiovascular Imaging 2025, 18: 741-743. PMID: 40243973, DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2025.01.016.
This AI-assisted summary has been reviewed and approved by at least one of the study's authors to ensure it accurately reflects the research.
Authors
Andrew Y. Chang, MD, PhD
First AuthorAssistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine)
Michelle C. Odden
Last Author