Trends and strategies of global cardiovascular diseases during the process of carbon neutrality

In recent years, as the global community has been making concerted efforts to address the challenges of climate change, the concept of carbon neutrality has increasingly drawn scholarly attention and public awareness worldwide. This is because the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the shift toward a low-carbon economy are not only vital for environmental sustainability but also exert profound influences on human health. Presently, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality globally. Unlike numerous other chronic ailments, CVDs frequently give rise to sudden and life-threatening occurrences, thereby imposing a substantial burden on healthcare systems and society. The complex interplay between the endogenous changes in climate and the anthropogenic measures taken to achieve carbon neutrality intricately affects the incidence and progression of CVDs. Therefore, understanding the potential alterations and formulating suitable intervention strategies is of utmost importance for safeguarding public health in the upcoming decades.

Impacts of carbon neutrality on CVDs

Air pollution, water pollution, and noise pollution impacts on CVDs

The transition to a carbon-neutral society will inevitably involve changes in energy production and environmental pollution. For example, the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources bears the propensity to attenuate the level of air pollution. The resultant diminution in pollutants precipitates a proportionate abatement in the risk of CVDs,1 including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure. Water pollution, caused by industrial waste and chemical runoff into water bodies, stands out as a notably substantial risk factor for CVDs. As the progression toward carbon neutrality advances, a conspicuous downward tendency in water pollution levels becomes manifest. This reduction is projected to alleviate the manifestation of oxidative stress and inflammation within the cardiovascular system,2 potentially curtailing the incidence of CVDs associated with water pollution. Noise pollution, which mainly originates from traffic and industrial activities, is another significant risk factor for CVDs. Prolonged and chronic exposure to high-intensity noise can lead to an increase in blood pressure and the secretion of stress hormones, disrupt normal sleep patterns, and cause gradual and cumulative damage to the cardiovascular system. With the implementation of measures such as optimizing urban traffic management and adopting quieter industrial technologies, the reduction in noise pollution may lower the risk of CVDs.

Extreme temperatures and energy transition impacts on CVDs

Besides the direct impacts of pollution, changes in climate patterns and energy systems during the pursuit of carbon neutrality also have significant implications for CVDs. In the context of carbon neutrality, some changes may be seen in extreme temperatures, and the overall frequency and intensity of their occurrence are likely to decrease. However, every occurrence of extreme temperatures demands great attention. For example, heatwaves have been proven to increase the morbidity and mortality of CVDs. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures during heatwaves can lead to dehydration, increased blood viscosity, and excessive stress on the cardiovascular system, ultimately resulting in conditions such as heat stroke and acute coronary syndromes.3 Not only does carbon neutrality affect extreme temperatures, but it also triggers a series of developments in new energy resources, which subsequently have bearings on cardiovascular health. Consider, for example, how the expansion of large-scale wind farms may precipitate a series of modifications in local ecosystems, human habitation environments, and avian migratory patterns. Likewise, the extensive installation of solar panel arrays in desert areas has the potential to perturb the local microclimate, water cycle, and vegetative cover. Moreover, the emergence of new energy modalities gives rise to new magnetic field phenomena. All these aspects would exert an indirect influence on human CVDs. Certain energy-related factors exert direct and profound impacts on cardiovascular well-being. In the instance of incomplete combustion of biomass, pernicious gases such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde are released. Once infiltrated into the human body through inhalation, these gases precipitate a series of intricate pathophysiological reactions. Consequently, it is imperative to execute scrupulous administration and stringent surveillance of potential risks to ensure the robustness of the human cardiovascular system.