Abstract
Acute and chronic lung inflammation is an underrecognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Yet, there are compelling epidemiological data to indicate that airway exposures to cigarette smoke, air pollution particles, and viral and bacterial pathogens are strongly related to acute ischemic events. Over the past 10 years, there have been important human and animal studies that have provided experimental evidence to support a causal link. In this article, we review the epidemiological data for the relationship between lung inflammation and cardiovascular disease and provide plausible mechanistic pathways by which acute and chronic inflammation contributes to the development of acute cardiovascular syndromes.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / pharmacology
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Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
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Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / pharmacology
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Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / therapeutic use
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Animals
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Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology*
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Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
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Causality
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Disease Progression
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Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology
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Humans
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Inflammation / epidemiology*
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Losartan / pharmacology
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Lung Diseases / epidemiology*
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Myocardial Ischemia / physiopathology
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Oxidative Stress / physiology
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Plaque, Atherosclerotic / epidemiology
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Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / epidemiology
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Risk Factors
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Smoking / epidemiology
Substances
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Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
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Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers
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Losartan