This World Heart Day 2019, analyze the relation between your heart and pollution and realize why it’s high time for all of us to become eco-responsible.

In big cities, the numerous vehicles on the road and the never-ending construction have contributed to the rise in pollution levels. Meanwhile, running behind the clock, people forget to be socially responsible. While focusing on a life of ease, we have ignored the pollutants emitted by the vehicles. The air we breathe is polluted and dangerous, a slow poison which kills us little by little. Decline in the air quality is being majorly witnessed all over the country, especially in the metro cities.

In recent days, many cities in the country have had bad quality of air because of the increasing number of vehicles and unscientific waste management. The metro cities are only getting worse by the day. For instance, Bangalore is particularly known for its traffic which indirectly paves the way for air pollution. This deterioration has affected the ecosystem and has put the lives of the residents at stake.

Heart and pollution: the relationship

People exposed to these hazardous substances emitted through smoke produced by factories and those living near intersections of roads are at a high risk. These risks are further divided into two based on their exposure levels. Meanwhile, people who have no risks are likely to develop heart attacks due to increased urban pollution.

• Short-term exposure where it leads to heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmia and heart failure probably in some vulnerable sections of people like the elderly, who have pre-existing health concerns.
• Long-term exposure has greater risks. It may lead to high blood pressure, heart failure and diabetes. Sometimes high levels of air pollution lead to atherosclerosis development and progression.

It is important to know how the environment takes a toll on heart’s health:

• Firstly, it damages the inside walls of your blood vessels which causes it to narrow and harden.
• Constriction of blood vessels increases the blood pressure which strains the heart.
• Sometimes, higher exposure can cause blood to thicken and form clots.
• it affects the electrical functioning of the heart, which leads to arrhythmia.
• There are some changes in the structure of heart which is similarly found in the initial stages of heart failure.

These factors might also initiate new health problems, or worsen the situation of the present condition of the heart and circulatory conditions which can probably lead to heart failure and stroke.

Types of heart diseases due to air pollution

Some micro- and nanoparticles carried by the air enters through the nasal tract and reach the lungs which lead to heart conditions which can be severe. Some of the conditions are:

• Coronary Artery Disease: Long-term exposure to air pollution leads to an increased risk of incidental fatal or non-fatal coronary artery disease.
• Congestive Heart Failure – When gaseous components accumulate in the heart, it has a positive association and ends to hospitalization. People suffering from pre-existing conditions like chronic heart failure and hypertension are at higher risk.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease – This disease is caused when there is a fatty deposit in the arteries which is outside the brain and heart.
• Cerebrovascular Disease – A  group of conditions which affects the circulation of blood to the brain, where there is no flow of blood to the affected areas. Some of them are stroke, transient ischemic attack and vascular dementia.
• Heart Failure – This is one of the worsening public health issues caused due to air pollution. The rate of incidence of heart failures is greater with long term exposure.

Conclusion: things to watch out for

• Keep the heart healthy – A healthy heart is less vulnerable to the ill effects of air pollution. Following healthy dietary practices accompanied by physical activities can help prevent diseases.
• Be air aware – Wearing a mask can stop us from inhaling hazardous substances present in the air.
• Change how and where you exercise – If the quality of the air is bad, change the place and the way you perform physical activities. For instance, instead of jogging, walk indoors and consider some indoor activities to avoid extreme pollution.

A better quality of air brings a healthy heart for a joyful life. Meanwhile, to avoid vulnerable situations, we could be a little socially responsible to help in reducing the pollution rate for a better world to live in.  

This article is authored by By Dr Keshava R, Consultant Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road.