Study Shows Link Between Air Pollution and Heart Disease

A new study published by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) has found that long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM₂.₅) is associated with scarring (fibrosis) in the heart muscle—changes that can precede heart failure and other cardiovascular complications.Using cardiac MRI scans, researchers observed that people exposed to higher levels of PM₂.₅ had significantly more myocardial fibrosis compared to those in areas with cleaner air. The study included both healthy individuals and patients with existing heart conditions.
This evidence supports a growing body of work showing that air pollution isn’t just a lung problem: it can have direct, damaging effects on the heart. Particulate matter is believed to contribute via mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction. Public health experts are calling for stronger air quality regulations and closer integration of environmental data into cardiovascular risk assessments. Reducing PM₂.₅ exposure, they argue, could be a powerful way to prevent heart disease at a population level.