Ambient Air Pollution and Hypertension: A Relationship that Strikes Around the Clock

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the World [1]. As the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, hypertension has been identified as the most important cause of disability and the leading risk factor for death globally [2]. The causes of hypertension are complex and are related to genetic factors, lifestyle, diet structure, and environmental factors, including air pollution [3]. Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution increases cardiovascular mortality rates [4,5]. Air pollution has also been associated with the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke [6-8]. Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and has been ranked as the leading cause for death and disability worldwide [9,10].