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