Air pollution hidden cause of heart disease

admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:32:51 +0000

The quality of air you inhale has been shown to affect the risk of having a heart attack and having heart disease in general. Recent research carried out in 250 areas worldwide showed that in cities with high levels of air pollution from factories and car exhaust fumes, people were at a higher risk of having heart disease than people who lived in less polluted areas. Shockingly the study was even able to show a relationship between heart disease risk and the length of time in crowded traffic, with those spending longer in crowded traffic having a higher risk of heart attack. Of course the more time you are in traffic the more likely you are to experience road rage, increased blood pressure and stress, all things which could contribute to a higher risk of heart disease.

With reagrds to the air pollution the worst pollutants were ozone, nitrates, metal and sulphates, which cause your blood pressure to increase 15 minutes after inhalation. Your body mounts an immune response to these pollutants as it recognises them as foreign, antigens, which it must destroy, however the result of this may damage blood vessels. It is recommended those that live in polluted areas do all they can to help reduce pollution, and only exercise outdoors outside peak traffic times. Diabetics, the elderly and those already with coronary artery disease are at a higher risk of being affected by air pollution and must take additional measures to reduce their risk.

HeartFacts.co.uk » Heart attack

Air pollution hidden cause of heart disease