Effects of Exposure to Air Pollution and Cold Weather on Acute Myocardial Infarction Mortality

(1) Background: Human exposure to air pollution may induce inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, extreme air temperatures and relative humidity cause vasoconstriction and abnormal blood cell function. These harmful effects may increase cardiovascular disease mortality. The effects of air pollution and climatic factors on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are relatively unknown. (2) Methods: We used AMI mortality data collected from Taiwan’s Medical Quality Indicator. Air pollutant data were collected from the Taiwanese Environmental Protection Administration, and air temperature and relative humidity data were obtained from the Taiwanese Central Weather Administration. The effects were estimated using Poisson regression to analyze the relative risk (RR) of mortality from AMI associated with exposure to air pollutants and climatic factors. (3) Results: The RR for every 4.7 μg/m3 increase in particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) was 1.086 (95% CI: 1.033–1.142, p = 0.001). The RR for every 10.3 ppb increase in ozone concentration was 1.095 (95% CI: 1.011–1.185, p = 0.025). The RR for every 6.5 °C decrease in air temperature was 1.087 (95% CI: 1.024–1.154, p = 0.006) for AMI mortality. (4) Conclusions: This study revealed that higher PM2.5 and ozone concentrations, along with cold weather, are associated with mortality in individuals with AMI. The government must develop policies to promote air pollution prevention, mitigate air pollution, and alert residents about poor air quality and cold weather, thereby promoting sustainable human health.