Did you know the air you breathe could directly be related to a higher risk of heart disease? Breathing in air pollution sounds more like you would have respiratory issues and while that may occur, several studies show that the pollution can exacerbate current heart ailments already known as well as bring heart disease risk to light for those that don't know they could get it. Women in particular are susceptible, especially because they use chemicals to clean in the home which can contribute to air pollution inside.
As mentioned above, the use of cleaners contributes to the air pollution you breathe in inside the home. Your smoking habit or even second hand smoking is another polluting problem. Of course, you have the everyday things you breathe in outdoors too. Cars pollute the air every day they are on the roads. Factories, oil and gas companies and many other businesses also contribute to air pollution. Depending on where you live will depend on the level of exposure you get that can contribute to heart disease and its risks.
Different Studies, Different Conclusions
While there were different research studies that examined the effects of air pollution on the body, all of them agreed that the pollution basically unmasked heart disease in those who were at risk and exacerbated conditions that the subjects in the research study already knew they had. Air pollution causes swelling and inflammation not only in the respiratory tract but also the arteries in the body, the very blood vessels responsible for transporting oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body, including the heart.
For many people with heart disease (whether they know they have it or not) their conditions are exacerbated. The pollutants can and do speed up the formation of atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque in the arteries which stiffens this flexible blood vessel as well as thicken it. As a result, this impairs the function of the heart. Another theory is that the air pollution also affects the nervous system responsible for the beating function of the heart. It could actually alter the rhythm and beating of the heart.
What happens is that the particles of soot and other contaminants in the polluted air build up over time in your body and cause harmful effects, not only in the lungs but in the blood and arteries mentioned before. The research studies showed that the higher the concentration of air pollution breathed in, the risk of heart disease and other related ailments such as stroke increased, particularly in women.
Men and women have different body chemistries and hormonal issues but researchers are still somewhat baffled as to why women have a much greater risk of heart disease over men when it comes to pollution. The best thing to do is watch the weather each day and gather an air quality report so you know exactly what will greet you that day whether it is clear sunny skies or a hazy day with an ozone alert. Go green and invest in renewable energies. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease.
