Air pollution is an important trigger of heart attacks, says study

24 February 2011

Researchers have found that air pollution is more important than other heart attack triggers such as coffee drinking in people with existing heart disease.

Although in individual patients the risk of having a heart attack shortly after physical exertion or drinking strong coffee is higher than the risk from recent exposure to heavily polluted air, the fact everyone is regularly exposed to some form of air pollution means it is a significant cause for concern.

Judy O'Sullivan, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: “It's important to remember this study looked at the triggers and not the causes of heart attacks.

“The 'triggers' mentioned are already well known, including the fact that air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes in people who already have heart and circulatory disease, so this new analysis of previous research has not identified new triggers.

“However, given the large number of people living in the UK with heart disease and the likelihood of their exposure to air pollution, this study highlights how important it is that UK governments ensure they meet European Commission targets to improve air quality.

“More research is also needed to identify the constituent parts of polluted air that contribute to heart disease in the first place. We are currently funding research on how air pollution causes abnormalities in the blood vessels, which may help explain the link between heart disease and pollution.

“Finally, the benefits of exercising outdoors outweigh the risks associated with air pollution for most people so people shouldn't be put off running, walking or cycling in towns and cities. However, people with heart disease should avoid spending long periods outdoors near busy roads or where traffic pollution is likely to be high. Local air quality reports could help people to understand when they might be most at risk.”

The study is published today in The Lancet

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)62296-9/fulltext

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