Air pollution increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, heart attack and several arrhythmias. Air pollution results in an increase in blood pressure and many more. Several air pollutants including No2 trigger inflammation and also damage blood vessels and also risk blood pressure.
Coronary artery diseases and blockage of heart:
According to research massive air pollution results in coronary artery diseases and blockage of heart walls. It can also result in stroke and also increase in blood pressure. Air pollution can worsen conditions like atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and heart failure. Air pollution contributes to oxidative stress and damage to cardiac tissues.
Age group vulnerable to Cardiovascular diseases:
The older generation is more vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases compared to young adults. On the other hand children who are most frequently exposed to air pollution have risks of cardiovascular diseases and damaging arteries. People with conditions like hypertension are most likely to get cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand People with an old history of cardiovascular diseases are most likely to get affected by Heart diseases when they are exposed to air pollution. It is worth mentioning that annually more than 10,000 people get affected from diseases that involve air pollution.
WHO guidelines and cardiovascular disease:
WHO accentuated on strict guidelines to prevent cardiovascular diseases and its adverse effects. WHO asked countries to follow air pollution guidelines and to deal with adverse effects of air pollution. Through this way air pollution adverse effects can be mitigated. Beside this WHO emphasized on controlling air pollution through following steps including factories outside the populated areas, complete elimination of plastic like compounds. On the other hand WHO emphasized Countries to take actions against Individuals who are responsible for air pollution including heavy fines.
Global impact:
Almost 20% of cardiovascular diseases are caused by air pollution. It involves damaging of arteries, blockage of arteries and heart walls, coronary artery diseases and arrhythmias. It results in 1.9 million preventable deaths annually. Air pollution can worsen conditions like arrhythmias and cardiovascular diseases. Subtle scarring of heart muscle is a common cause due to significant increase in air pollution and its contributing factors.
Cardiovascular diseases and arrhythmias:
Blockage or improper blood flow in walls can result in cardiovascular diseases. Arrhythmias occur most commonly when the electrical signals between the heart is irregular.
There are different types of arrhythmias including:
● Tachycardia
● Atrial fibrillation
● Bradycardia
● Ventricular tachycardia
These are common types of arrhythmias that can get affected by air pollution contributors. There are many causes of arrhythmias including electrolyte imbalance, lifestyle factors including smoking stress and alcoholic consumption. Heart attack and heart failure are common causes of cardiovascular diseases.
Following are the common symptoms including:
● Fatigue
● Shortness of breathe
● Dizziness
● Chest pain
● Fainting
Key pollutants of cardiovascular diseases:
There are many key pollutants that contribute to air pollution including nitrogen dioxide. Inflammation of air ways, increased oxidative stress are common causes due to nitrogen dioxide. Ozone is also a contributor to air pollution including reduced lung function, inflammation of plaque buildup in arteries are common causes due to increase in air pollution. Beside this it penetrates deep into the lungs and then can easily enter the bloodstream. It can also result in an increase in blood pressure.
Prevention and awarness to overcome air pollution:
Raise awareness to prevent air pollution and its factors. Limit outdoor activity on high pollution days and wear masks. Reduce emissions and also to promote factors that prevent air pollution. The government should raise awareness about risks of air pollution and promote collective efforts to reduce the factors that contribute to air pollution. Modest increases in air pollution can contribute to cardiovascular diseases. Researchers have found long term exposure to air pollution can result in myocardial fibrosis.
Conclusion:
Many researches link air pollution with cardiovascular diseases. If the air pollution increases in significant amounts as it is increasing it can result in increase in cardiovascular diseases and its contributing factors. Seminars and awareness programs can help to reduce air pollution and its adverse effects. This can result in adverse effects of cardiovascular diseases and arrhythmias. Air pollution can trigger inflammation and also can cause chronic obstructive lung diseases. It can damage lungs and can result in breathing problems.
