Air pollution seriously affects the heart

Quang Thinh

According to research by European scientists, air pollution not only affects the lungs but also weakens the function of the heart and blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack or death.

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on September 13, 2007, scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh (Scotland) and Umea (Sweden) determined the effects of diesel smoke on Heart and blood vessels of people with heart disease.

In this study, experts focused on the effects of diesel engines, because these engines generate pollutants 10 to 100 times more pollutant than gasoline-powered engines.

The heart has 3 times ' stress '

Research results show that diesel smoke negatively affects blood vessels, reduces heart function, increases the risk of blood clots, thereby making heart disease more serious.

The study was conducted for 20 men who volunteered at age 60 and had suffered a heart attack at least six months earlier. All of these people have been successfully treated and in a stable health condition when participating in this study.

'Most people just think that air pollution has a damaging effect on the lungs, but this study shows that smog pollution also directly affects heart function.'(Photo: images.businessweek.com)

People who are willing to breathe fresh air or are exposed to dilute diesel smoke during physical activity by cycling on the spot for 15 minutes at a time.

According to the electrocardiographic monitoring results, when these people work in an environment contaminated with diesel smoke, their hearts are 3 times more stressful than when exercising in a clean atmosphere. At the same time, after being exposed to diesel fumes, the body's ability to produce t-PA protein - capable of blocking blood clots - is also reduced by about a third.

The participants of this study experienced exposure to toxic substances in the air at 300 micrograms / m ³ - the level often found in crowded areas of cars, manufacturing enterprises, refineries and The largest urban areas in the world.

In polluted air, the heart is three times more stressed and the anti-thrombotic t-PA protein is reduced by a third.(Photo: todaysseniorsnetwork.com)

According to experts, the concentration of some pollutants in diesel smoke is now too high compared to the allowable limits of the World Health Organization.

" The exposure to diesel smoke when exercising for a short period of time is enough to reduce blood clot antagonists, aggravate ischemia, or prevent the heart from getting enough blood," the team said. and oxygen. All these negative changes can lead to heart attacks or death . '

Lead researcher Dr. Nicholas Mills, of the University of Edinburgh, said: ' Most people just think that air pollution has a damaging effect on the lungs, but this study shows dust pollution. also directly affects heart function '.

Heart patients should be cautious

According to Dr. Mills, 'research helps explain why patients with heart disease are more likely to be hospitalized on days when air pollution levels are high.'

Many previous studies have also confirmed the link between short-term and long-term exposure to polluted air and high hospitalization and death rates, since the heart is not adequately supplied with blood, any heartbeat often, gradual heart failure and stroke.

Expert Peter Weissberg, of the Heart Institute of the UK, said: ' Research results show that in patients with coronary artery disease, diesel smoke can reduce the amount of oxygen needed for cardiac activity, thereby increasing risk. muscle heart attack '.

'Heart patients should avoid areas with heavy traffic.'(Photo: www.thailandguru.com)

Mr. Weissberg advises that " heart patients should maintain exercise to improve their health, but avoid areas with a lot of traffic ." In addition, people with asthma, bronchitis and chronic lung diseases must also stay away from sources of contaminated air.

Not participating in this study, but Dr. Abraham Sanders, a lung specialist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in the US, said: ' We have evidence of exposure to diesel smoke during exercise. will cause ischemia, and if you have heart disease, the exposure will make it worse '.

While this study focuses on men, the research team believes that the same effect can be seen in women.

According to Dr. Mills, if further research confirms that toxic elements in diesel smoke are the main culprits in heart disease, consider installing ' dust traps ' into diesel engines to prevent substances. Pollution spreads into the air.