Pathogenesis and preventive measures of environment-related cardiovascular disease in northern China

Abstract

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the top-ranked cause of human death in the world for years, according to the World Health Organization. Accumulating evidence from epidemiological data supports the view that the risk of CVDs is higher in northern China than in southern area. There is no doubt that living environment has become a crucial factor contributing to the occurrence and progression of CVDs in northern region. However, there have not been any clinical guidelines for the prevention strategy of environment-related CVDs, especially for cold exposure. Thus, there is an urgent need for better understanding of the clinical characteristics and underlying mechanisms of cold-induced CVDs in order to formulate and implement proper and effective measures for minimizing the risk of CVDs for people residing in low-temperature area. Cold exposure, air pollution, lack of sunlight and irrational diet are believed to be crucial factors responsible for environment-related CVDs, and preventive measures might be carried out accordingly to decrease the high risk of CVDs in northern China.