Associations between ambient fine particulate (PM2.5) exposure and cardiovascular disease: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

The evidence regarding the association between long-term fine particulate (PM2.5) exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in developing countries is limited. This study investigated the association between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and the prevalence of CVD among middle-aged and older adults. A total of 13,484 adults ≥ 45 years of age were surveyed in China, and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between PM2.5 and the prevalence of CVD. Furthermore, stratified analyses were conducted to explore potential effect modifiers. In addition, the burden of CVD attributable to PM2.5 was estimated. The analyses revealed that PM2.5 was associated with CVD, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.18 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 1.26) for each 10 μg/m3 increment in ambient PM2.5. Stratified analyses found that the elderly may be a vulnerable population. It was further estimated that approximately 20.27% (95% CI: 11.86%, 29.96%) of CVD cases could be attributable to PM2.5. This nationwide study confirmed that long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increased prevalence of CVD in China.