Air pollution and heart disease

September 29, 2015

It's common sense, really, but only recently has research confirmed it: air pollution causes heart disease. Here's some information on the research and how you can lessen air pollution's harmful effects on your heart and lungs.

Air pollution and heart disease

Harmful to your lungs — and your heart

The American Heart Association says air pollution is even worse for your heart than it is for your lungs.

In a study that analyzed data from a survey of 500,000 adults, epidemiologists found that air pollution in U.S. cities causes twice as many deaths from heart disease as it does from lung cancer and other respiratory ailments. And in Canada, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has stated that smog can be as detrimental to your arteries as cigarette smoke.

Along with this research, experts believe variations in levels of urban air pollution affect mortality rates. In fact, certain pollutants are thought to have an inflammatory effect on the inner lining of arteries, which can trigger atherosclerosis. They may also cause inflammation of the lungs, which could aggravate lung problems.

The pollution risk comes from ozone and particulate matter — a very fine soot. Cars, trucks, factories and coal-fired power stations generate both. When you breathe in particulate matter, it irritates your airways and triggers an inflammatory response, which, like all inflammation, accelerates plaque buildup and narrowing of the arteries.

A few things you can do

There is not much you can do to change the air that you breathe when you go outside (except move to the country). However, there are a number of things that you can do to limit your heart's exposure to the damaging effects of dirty air.

  • Avoid rush hour. Even if the air in your area tends to be clean, avoid exercising outside — including cycling or jogging — during rush hour when vehicle emissions are highest. Your best bet is to exercise very early in the morning and avoid main roads.
  • Stay away from smokers. The good news is that provincial legislators have or are in the process of forcing bars, restaurants and other public places throughout the country to ban smoking. The bad news is that exposure to second-hand smoke from just a single cigarette each day speeds up the development of atherosclerosis. So be very selective about the establishments you frequent when out in public.
  • Go green. Good insulation and new windows may save money on your heating bills, but they may also affect your home's air quality. Get some houseplants, especially palms, spider plants and ivy varieties, which act like air filters to help clean the air in your home.
  • Eat your antioxidants. Antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamins C and E and beta carotene, protect your heart and lungs from the ill effects of pollution-induced free radical damage. So be sure to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Use your nose. When exercising in less-than-perfect air conditions, try to breathe through your nose as it is equipped with fine hairs that help to filter the air before it reaches your lungs.

Keep this information and these tips in mind to help you protect your heart and lungs from air pollution.

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