The rapid increases in pollution can be as detrimental to the heart as sustained high levels, according to results of a study published in the medical journal the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
There is evidence that exposure to high concentrations of air pollution increases the risk of several diseases, including heart attack.
However, this study investigated whether rapid increases in pollution increase the risk of heart attack, independent of an absolute threshold. It also examined whether an association between heart attacks and changes in air pollution exists in cities where air pollution varies but does not exceed EU limits.
Researchers from Jena University Hospital in Germany conducted their study in Jena, Germany, a city of 100,000 people and only a few days in recent years when concentrations of certain air pollutants exceeded EU daily limits. . All patients living within 10 km of Jena who suffered a heart attack were admitted to Jena University Hospital between 2003 and 2010.
Concentrations of air pollutants one, two and three days before heart attack symptoms were compared to concentrations the week before and the week after. The researchers analyzed whether there were rapid variations in air pollution before the heart attack.
Increases in nitric oxide of more than 20 µg/m3 within 24 hours have been associated with a more than doubled risk of heart attack.
“Our study suggests that the risk of heart attack associated with nitrogen oxides depends on the dynamics and magnitude of the increases, and not just on exposure to high concentrations,” explained lead researcher Dr Florian Rakers. and researcher at Jena University Hospital.
The researchers were surprised by the magnitude of the association. “Risk of heart attack more than doubled after more than 20 µg/m3 increase in nitric oxides over 24 hours The impact of rapid increases in air pollutants on heart health may be at least as important as absolute concentrations “, said Dr. Rakers.
“The adverse effects of a rapid increase in pollution can occur in small towns: increases in nitric oxide of more than 20 µg/m3 within 24 hours occur more than 30 times a year in Jena, a city where limits for nitric oxides are generally not exceeded.”
New studies are needed to confirm its results and establish health recommendations.
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