Climate Change and Cardiovascular Health: Environmental Stressors, Mechanistic Insights, and Clinical Perspectives

Climate change poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health through the combined effects of extreme temperatures, air pollution, and extreme weather events. Short-term heat exposure raises mortality risk by 3.80%, while long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5, with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 micrometers) increases cardiovascular mortality by 11–20%. Key mechanisms include thermoregulatory stress, inflammation, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, prothrombotic state, and psychosocial stress. Vulnerable groups, such as older individuals and those with cardiovascular diseases, also face a higher risk. Epidemiological studies have shown that for every one-standard-deviation increase in the number of days with excess heat factor, the overall mortality risk rises by 3.80%. Proposed interventions include high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers, optimized cooling centers, and low-emission zones. However, key research gaps remain in the effects of multi-stressors, protection strategies, exposure assessment, and climate-driven disease projections. Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for mitigating climate-related cardiovascular risks. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current situation regarding climate change and cardiovascular health, summarizing the results of epidemiological, pathological mechanisms, and policy research.