Whether you are living in a big city or a rural community, air pollution from cars, factories and even wildfires can seem like a normal part of daily life.
However, exposure to air pollution over time can lead to significant problems in our heart, lungs and brain, including an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
How Air Pollution Affects the Heart
People breathe in air pollution like carbon monoxide and particulate matter, which are tiny air particles composed of noxious substances. Some researchers are concerned about particulates that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller, which are most commonly found in car exhaust. The small size of these particulates allows them to easily enter the body and poses a greater risk to the circulatory system than other common pollutants.
When particulates enter the body, they break through our lungs’ protective barrier and enter the bloodstream. According to a growing body of research, the particulates can constrict blood vessels, causing them to narrow. This result can contribute to increased blood pressure and heart strain. It can even eventually cause a stroke or heart attack.
Short-Term Vs. Long-Term Exposure
Short-term exposure to harmful particulates increases the risk of heart attack, arrhythmias, stroke and heart failure in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with cardiovascular disease.
Additionally, adults with atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits inside the arteries, may experience immediate effects of air pollution. This can lead to plaque rupturing in a blood vessel, causing a heart attack.
Long-term exposure to air pollution, on the other hand, may contribute to the risk of developing atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and other diseases in otherwise healthy adults. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide ambient air pollution accounts for 25 percent of all deaths related to ischemic cardiovascular disease, which is when heart problems arise due to narrowed arteries of the heart.
Avoiding Air Pollution when You Have a Heart Condition
While it is nearly impossible to avoid all forms of air pollution, it is recommended that heart disease patients avoid spending long periods of time in areas of high pollution, such as near busy roads, factories or railways. You can check the Air Quality Index where you live on a daily basis at AirNow.gov.
If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition and it is necessary to travel to areas with high levels of pollution, limit your visits to times when pollution levels are lower, (i.e., not during rush hour), and consider using less busy routes, or “greenways,” to get to your destination.
Being physically active can improve heart and circulatory health, but consider reducing the amount of exercise done outdoors if the air pollution in your area is high.
