Recent research found that air pollution may cause heart disease, and a new study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association indicates that it may be especially harmful for those who already have heart disease.
Researchers in Boston, Massachusetts, studied 48 patients who had serious coronary artery disease and had been hospitalized for heart-related problems. They periodically monitored electrical impulses in their hearts at three-month intervals with a 24-hour monitoring device, and then measured the air pollution in the area where patients lived. They discovered that microscopic particles in polluted air affected the heart’s ability to send electrical signals.
Their research adds to a growing body of knowledge that indicates air pollution is linked to an increased risk for heart attack and stroke.
“Our study provides additional rationale to avoid or reduce heavy traffic exposure after discharge, even for those without a heart attack, since traffic exposure involves pollution exposure as well as stress,” said Dr. Diane Gold, senior author of the study. Other experts recommend that people with heart disease who live in polluted cities limit the time they spend outdoors.
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