Date Time Share American Heart Association Research Highlights: A meta-analysis of 14 air pollution studies from around the world found that exposure to high levels of air pollutants during childhood increases the likelihood of high blood pressure in children and adolescents, and the risk of hypertension later in life. A special publication on air pollution features several studies focused on the relationship between ambient air pollution with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension. Other studies cover exposure to diesel exhaust, ambient air pollution and particulate matter and how it affects blood pressure, heart failure admissions and risk of stroke and heart attack.