Association between air pollution and incident cardiovascular diseases among a population with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stages 0–3: the first evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study - Report - MDSpire

Association between air pollution and incident cardiovascular diseases among a population with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome stages 0–3: the first evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

  • By

  • Hongbo Huang

  • Yunhai Li

  • Ze Zhang

  • Yijing Xu

  • Linfeng Xie

  • Ying Huang

  • Tingting Wei

  • Haonan Pan

  • Zhiqi Hu

  • Zhen Gong

  • Jiaying Li

  • Yichen Wang

  • Aijie Zhang

  • Fan Li

  • June 23, 2026

  • 0 min

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Link Between Air Quality and New Cardiovascular Disease Cases in CKM Syndrome

Overview

This study investigates the correlation between prolonged air pollution exposure and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among individuals with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome stages 0–3. Findings indicate that increased levels of PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 are associated with a higher risk of new-onset CVD.

Background

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality globally, with significant contributions from environmental factors such as air pollution. The CKM syndrome framework, introduced by the American Heart Association, emphasizes the interconnectedness of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular health.

Data Highlights

PollutantIncrease in CVD Risk per 10-μg/m3Hazard Ratio (HR)
PM114.8%1.148 (95% CI, 1.086–1.214)
PM2.59.6%1.096 (95% CI, 1.064–1.128)
PM106.8%1.068 (95% CI, 1.052–1.084)
O32.5%1.025 (95% CI, 0.962–1.091)
NO212.4%1.124 (95% CI 1.063–1.189)

Key Findings

  • 21.8% of participants with CKM syndrome stages 0–3 experienced CVD events during the study.
  • Significant associations were found between air pollution exposure and increased CVD risk, particularly for PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and NO2.
  • Educational attainment modified the risk associated with air pollution exposure, with lower educational levels correlating with higher risk.
  • Metabolic syndrome was identified as a partial mediator in the relationship between air pollution and CVD incidence.
  • Ozone exposure did not show a significant association with CVD risk.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should consider the impact of air pollution on cardiovascular health, especially in patients with CKM syndrome. Monitoring and addressing environmental risk factors may be crucial in managing CVD risk in this population.

Conclusion

The study identifies an association between air pollution and new-onset CVD in individuals with CKM syndrome stages 0–3.

Related Resources & Content

  1. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2023 -- Cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic syndrome and mortality in a prospective UK cohort study
  2. JAMA Network Open, 2023 -- Social Risk Factors and Disparities in Advanced Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome
  3. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2023 -- Metabolic-dimension CKM staging and cardiometabolic components predict incident MASLD: a longitudinal community-based cohort study
  4. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2023 -- Incidence and burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to extreme heat in China
  5. American Heart Association, 2026 -- 2026 AHA/ACC/ADA/ASN Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome
  6. Scientific Reports, 2023 -- Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and incident cardiovascular disease in adults with cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic stages 0–3
  7. PubMed, 2023 -- Risk of PM2.5 and its constituents for cardiovascular diseases: A cohort study of over 5.8 million participants
  8. ScienceDirect, 2023 -- Estimates, temporal evolution, and drivers of the global burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to particulate matter air pollution, 1990–2021
  9. AHA/ACC/ADA/ASN Guideline for CKM Syndrome
  10. Long-term exposure to air pollution and incident cardiovascular disease
  11. Risk of PM2.5 and its constituents for cardiovascular diseases: A cohort study of over 5.8 million participants - PubMed
  12. Estimates, temporal evolution, and drivers of the global burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to particulate matter air pollution, 1990–2021: A systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2021 - ScienceDirect
  13. Impact of PM2.5 Exposure on Cardiovascular diseases (IPEC Study): an updated umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses | European Journal of Preventive Cardiology | Oxford Academic
  14. Long-term exposure to elemental carbon and disease incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed
  15. Short-Term PM2.5 Exposure and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Global Exposure-Response Analysis to Inform Alert Thresholds - ScienceDirect
  16. Effect of HEPA Filtration Air Purifiers on Blood Pressure: A Pragmatic Randomized Crossover Trial | JACC

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