Leading cardiovascular societies, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association and the World Heart Federation (WHF), have issued a joint statement calling for urgent action to address environmental stressors as major, yet preventable, causes of cardiovascular disease.
Environmental stressors, such as air and noise pollution, chemical and plastic contamination, and climate-related hazards contribute to an estimated one in five of the 20 million cardiovascular deaths occurring worldwide, figures quoted by the societies suggest. The joint statement represents a unified global commitment to place environmental protection at the heart of cardiovascular disease prevention and policy, they state.
“Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide and environmental stressors have become its silent accelerators,” says lead author, Thomas Münzel (University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany). “Our message is clear: cleaner air, quieter cities and a stable climate are not solely environmental goals, they are essential for heart health and for reducing the cardiovascular disease burden globally.”
“The heart does not exist in isolation—it beats within an ecosystem. Environmental hazards must stand alongside smoking, hypertension and diabetes in our risk assessments and prevention strategies,” Thomas F Lüscher (Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital Trust, London, UK) ESC President and senior author explains:
Immediate, coordinated and courageous actions from policy makers are needed to reduce personal and societal environmental risk factor exposure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries that disproportionately bear the brunt of global environmental degradation, the societies state.
“Research has shown the negative health impacts of pollution, noise, rising temperatures and other environmental stressors,” says co-author and ACC president, Christopher Kramer (University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, USA). “The time for action on addressing the impact of the environment on cardiovascular health is now and essential to reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease around the world.”
“To treat and prevent cardiovascular diseases, we must tackle the root causes and the increasing pressure of environmental risks. Intense exposure to air pollution and other forms of contamination take their toll especially on the most vulnerable. It’s imperative that all sectors act now and play their part to reduce and mitigate risks so that cardiovascular health for all becomes reality,” says co-author, Amam Mbakwem (University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria), WHF’s vice president.
The joint statement calls on policymakers to adopt stricter air quality and noise standards, phase out fossil fuels and regulate toxic chemicals. Political will and international cooperation are essential in establishing and enforcing regulations and creating harmonised standards.
“This joint effort reflects our shared understanding of the need to address environmental factors that affect heart health. Working together across societies and sectors is essential to create meaningful change for cardiovascular well-being worldwide,” says co-author and past AHA president, Keith Churchwell (Yale New Haven Health, New Haven, USA).
“The American Heart Association is committed to advancing research and raising awareness so we can better protect heart health from the very start by protecting the planet,” adds AHA president, Stacey E Rosen (Katz Institute for Women’s Health, New York, USA).
The joint statement outlines six overarching priority areas:
- Global advocacy and policy alignment that prioritises environmental effects on cardiovascular health
- Investment in research on the impacts of environmental risk factors to inform targeted action
- Education and increased awareness among healthcare professionals and the public on environmental risk factors
- Urban planning and policies promoting clean transport, green space and noise control
- Sustainable healthcare to reduce emissions and pollution within medical systems
- Climate-resilient health systems to protect vulnerable populations
The statement concludes: “By addressing the root causes of environmental stressors, it is possible to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and promote healthier, just and sustainable societies.”
