Environment and Cardiovascular Disease: The Corinthia Study

Environmental factors constitute an important but underappreciated risk factor towards the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Environmental exposure in variable pollutants is implicated in the derangement or propagation of adverse pathophysiological processes linked with atherosclerosis, including genetic, hemodynamic, metabolic, oxidative and inflammation parameters. However no data exists concerning environmental pollution in rural or semi-rural areas. Therefore the purpose of the "Corinthia" study is to examine the impact of environmental pollution in indices of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a cross-sectional and longitudinal design. Corinthia study began in October 2015 and is planned to recruit 2400 individuals from different regions of Corinthia country with different environmental exposure to pollutants and different patterns of soil-ground and/or air pollution until September 2018. Baseline measurements will include lifestyle measurements, anthropometric characteristics and a comprehensive cardiovascular examination. The follow-up is planned to extent, prospectively, up to 10 years and this study is anticipated to provide valuable data on the distinct impact of soil and air pollution in early markers of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease and in the overall impact of environment pollution to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.