Cardiologists´ Awareness of the Effects of Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Disease in Vietnam and the Philippines -- Descriptive Evaluation

The link between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and air pollution risk factors is not fully understood and has not been scientifically investigated in many developing Asian countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines. The aim of this paper is to investigate practising cardiologists´ opinions and knowledge about air pollution exposure potentially triggering cardiovascular disease in those countries. The results of the study are of importance to not only avoid the burden of CVD in term of mortality and morbidity with all their ensuing costs, but also to understand physicians´ evaluations of the environmental risk factors to CVD and to suggest measures to overcome any shortcomings.