Unveiling the Cardiovascular Toll of Long-Term Wildfire Smoke PM2.5 Exposure in Older Americans

Highlight

This population-based cohort study involving over 65 million U.S. Medicare beneficiaries demonstrates that long-term cumulative exposure to wildfire smoke-derived fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with a measurable increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) hospital admissions among older adults, especially ischemic heart disease and arrhythmias. The relationship shows a nonlinear pattern, with moderate exposure levels posing the highest relative risk. Lower socioeconomic groups appear more vulnerable, underscoring health disparities linked to environmental exposures.

Study Background and Disease Burden