A disturbing study has found that even pollution below World Health Organization standards can trigger an immediate heart attack in some people.
According to the survey, four types of air pollutants, namely nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and very fine particulate matter (FPM), though lower than WHO standards, have been linked to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in some individuals.
It can cause a heart attack. Another important thing is that this condition can occur within an hour of being exposed to pollution. In ACS, blood flow to the heart muscle is affected, leading to either a heart attack or angina that becomes uncontrollable.
In this, blood clots block the arteries of the heart and cause immediate chest pain. Among them, fine particles and nitrogen dioxide have been identified as the most dangerous for the heart. Both these pollutants already hurt humans. If those exposed were 65 years of age or older, the effect could be more dangerous.
Even if they are non-smokers or have no history of respiratory or heart disease. Hedong Qin, a professor at Fudan University in Shanghai, and his colleagues said that although pollution is dangerous to the heart, it did not attack so quickly until now.
Another important thing is that moderate pollution can also become an enemy of the heart. According to a report published in the journal Circulation of the American Heart Association, solid microscopic and liquid fine droplets are released in the smoke of vehicles and factories, which are already causing 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide, which are heart attacks and strokes.
Appears in the form of paralysis. These particles are inhaled into the lungs and then enter the bloodstream. In this regard, the data of around 13 lakh people was examined. For this, records of 2239 hospitals have been seen between 2015 and 2020, and stroke and heart disease have been seen in them.
The experts then measured the pollutants in the air hourly and looked at the rate of heart attacks during the polluted time (ie, particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide).
It was found that heart attacks and deaths were significantly higher during the hour when pollution was at its peak. This is the period when an unusual number of patients suffered from ACS and were admitted to the hospital.
Experts have said that the busy cities of the world should take all possible measures to keep their atmosphere clean.