Air pollution may increase risk of heart attack
While a prescription to buy Canadian Plavix can decrease one's chances of having a heart attack or other cardiovascular events, this does not preclude the need to be cognizant of other potential risk factors.
While a prescription to buy Canadian Plavix can decrease one's chances of having a heart attack or other cardiovascular events, this does not preclude the need to be cognizant of other potential risk factors. According to researchers from France, one such factor is exposure to certain air pollutants for up to seven days.
The scientific literature is divided over the link between heart attacks and air pollution. In order to explore this relationship further, the researchers conducted a review of 34 previous studies that looked at several pollutants, including ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and other particles.
Results showed significant associations between heart attacks and all pollutants, except ozone. The researchers speculate that these compounds' influence on the heart may be the result of increased inflammation, changes in heart rate or thickening of the blood.
"Further research is needed to determine whether effective interventions that improve air quality are associated with a decreased incidence of [heart attacks]," the researchers wrote in their review, published in JAMA.
The influence of air pollution on heart attacks may not be as large as that of smoking, hypertension or diabetes. However, pollutants may still be dangerous in light of how many people are exposed to them in cities, the researchers said.
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