Air pollution increases the amount of atherosclerosis, which causes plaque to form in the walls of the arteries. This affects the heart rate and increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and other heart diseases.

Apart from causing respiratory problems, the increasing level of pollution is also increasing the risk of heart diseases. Harmful particles present in the environment, after entering the body through breath, increase the risk of heart disease, difficulty in breathing and other health related problems including cancer. According to the World Health Organization, 7 million people die every year due to pollution. Due to poor air quality, the heart's ability to pump blood decreases, which increases the risk of heart diseases. Let us know how air pollution increases the risk of heart diseases (air pollution effect on heart).

Effect of pollution on heart health (How air pollution effect on heart)

According to research by the American Heart Association, air pollution increases the amount of atherosclerosis, which causes plaque to form in the walls of the arteries. Plaque begins to form from cholesterol, calcium and fat, which restricts blood flow to the heart. This affects the heart rate and increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and other heart diseases. Apart from harming heart health due to pollution, there is also a risk of diabetes.

According to the World Health Organization, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide present in the air increase health risks. Apart from this, toxic particles dissolved in the air reach the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Due to this, tissues and red blood cells have to face damage. Prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter puts a person at risk of diseases like stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer.

Regarding this, Principal Consultant, Cardiology, Yashoda Super Specialty Hospital, Kaushambi, Dr. Asit Khanna gave detailed information. He said that the biggest impact of air pollution is visible on the heart. Pollutants like PM, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which are emitted from vehicle exhaust, factories and burning of fuel, enter the body and harm heart health.

Know how pollution harms heart health (Side effects of pollution on heart)

1. Risk of heart attack

These pollutants reach the lungs through breathing and mix into the blood. These affect the nerves, causing increased inflammation and oxidative stress. This causes fat to accumulate in the veins, which can lead to heart diseases and heart attacks. Long-term exposure to these pollutants increases the risk of heart diseases.

2. Increase in heart beat

Nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide have adverse effects on health. Nitrogen dioxide, which is emitted from vehicles and power plants. Weakens the lungs and maintains more pressure on the heart. At the same time, carbon monoxide reduces the ability to deliver oxygen to the blood, due to which the heart and other parts of the body do not get the right amount of oxygen. It can cause irregular heartbeat and cause heart diseases.

Carbon monoxide reduces the ability to deliver oxygen to the blood

3. Cholesterol level becoming imbalanced

According to the research of University of Washington, due to continuous exposure to smoke and dust, the level of good cholesterol in the body starts decreasing. Due to pollution, high density lipoprotein i.e. good cholesterol starts decreasing in the body. Due to this, apart from other heart related problems, bad cholesterol starts increasing rapidly.

4. Narrow the blood vessels

According to the National Institutes of Health, airborne particulate matter increases heart problems. Due to this, the blood vessels start narrowing and the blood flow becomes unbalanced. Apart from this, there is a risk of increase in blood pressure, blood clotting, coronary artery disease and stroke. Children, elderly and heart patients are more affected by the effects of air pollution.

Children, elderly and heart patients are more affected by the effects of air pollution. Image: AdobeStock

With the help of which tips this problem can be solved (How to reduce harm of pollution on heart)

Gargling with salt in lukewarm water reduces the swelling of the throat and provides relief. The infection present in the throat can be removed by gargling twice a day.
Drinking ginger and honey tea provides relief to the throat and clears mucus. This prevents the increasing infection in the lungs and the production of mucus starts reducing.
To protect yourself from indoor pollution, use air purifiers inside the house and also plant indoor plants. Apart from this, do not forget to wear a mask while going out.
Inhaling steam with oils like eucalyptus or peppermint helps relieve shortness of breath and clear the lungs.
Try to protect the body from dehydration. This reduces pain and soreness in the throat. Drink more water so that the throat and lungs remain moist and health remains good.