The impact of poor air quality on cardiovascular health
“Exposure to poor air quality, especially high concentrations of pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone and nitrogen dioxide, can adversely affect cardiovascular health,” said Dr Sudheer Koganti, a renowned cardiologist and heart failure specialist at Citizens Super Speciality Hospital, Hyderabad, India.
Long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of high blood pressure and contributes to the progression of heart disease, especially in people with underlying medical conditions.
In particular, certain pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone can lead to inflammation, increased blood pressure and a higher risk of heart disease.
How should people with heart disease protect themselves?
If you have a history of heart disease, here are some steps you can take:
- Use air purifier.
- Wear a mask to filter out pollutants.
- Monitor air quality index.
- Avoid areas with heavy traffic.
