Poor air quality can harm the cardiovascular system, especially in older adults and those with heart disease or diabetes.
One of the biggest dangers of air pollution is its impact on cardiovascular health. The harmful chemicals and particles in the air can stress your heart, damage blood vessels, and even lead to heart attacks or strokes.
How Air Pollution Affects the Heart
According to the European Society of Cardiology, air pollution is responsible for over 3 million deaths each year from ischemic heart disease and strokes, surpassing typical risk factors for heart disease such as diabetes, smoking, or obesity.
Polluted air has a significant impact on cardiovascular health. (Image source: Freepik).
When you breathe in polluted air containing harmful chemicals and particles, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, they can enter your lungs and may even enter your bloodstream. According to the British Heart Foundation, air pollutants can:
- Cause inflammation and damage to blood vessels, increasing plaque buildup
- Narrow arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart
- Increase the risk of blood clots
- Raise blood pressure by making the heart pump harder
- Disrupt the heart’s electrical system, affecting heart rhythm
- Put additional stress on the heart by forcing it to work harder.
Therefore, exposure to air pollution increases the risk of serious heart issues such as heart attacks and strokes, especially for those with heart disease or living in polluted areas.
According to the American Heart Association, short-term exposure to air pollution can pose risks of heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, and heart failure in vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions. However, the life-threatening risks associated with air pollution and heart disease are significantly higher with long-term exposure.
Who is at Higher Risk?
According to Health Shots, some individuals are more susceptible to heart disease, especially if they are exposed to air pollution. Those at higher risk include:
- Older adults, particularly those living in polluted cities, are more likely to develop heart disease.
- Individuals who have previously experienced heart attacks, angina, bypass surgery, angioplasty (with or without stents), strokes, arterial blockages, heart failure, or arrhythmias.
- People with conditions like diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Men over 45 and women over 55 are also at greater risk for heart disease.
- Individuals with a family history of heart disease or strokes, especially if these occurred at an early age.
- Those with high blood pressure or high cholesterol, as well as individuals who are overweight, sedentary, or smokers.
How to Protect Your Heart from Air Pollution
The following tips can help minimize the impact of air pollution on cardiovascular health, creating a healthier environment for you:
- Limit outdoor activities
- Exercise indoors
- Use air purifiers
- Keep windows closed
- Wear masks when going outside
- Stay hydrated
- Consume plenty of antioxidant-rich foods (berries, nuts, and leafy greens)
- Incorporate foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil, flaxseeds, and walnuts).
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