{"id":4187,"date":"2022-11-23T16:38:02","date_gmt":"2022-11-23T11:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.fourthfrontier.com\/?p=4187"},"modified":"2023-04-12T16:10:30","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T10:40:30","slug":"does-air-quality-affect-the-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.fourthfrontier.com\/in\/does-air-quality-affect-the-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Air Quality Affect The Heart?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oxygen is vital to the human body for survival, and we depend on air (atmospheric oxygen) for breathing. But the air we inhale now consists of a combination of dust, pollen, mould, dirt, soil, and numerous other compounds that can lead to various diseases. The consequent ailments usually start with mild presentations that accumulate over time. These may result in intense manifestations, including an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ideal Composition of Air<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Proportion of oxygen in ideal air best for <\/span>health is approximately 21% (ref. link<\/a>)<\/span>. The remaining part of the air comprises nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide. Nitrogen and argon are inert and hence redundant. Other constituents include volatile organic compounds from vegetation and natural events, such as volcanic eruptions or wildfires. The fusion of these components constitute the ideal composition of air for humans to stay healthy and devoid of diseases.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Actual Air Quality<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Currently, the air we breathe is not ideal for optimal <\/span>health,<\/b> with significant evidence of<\/span> air pollution and global warming. Vehicles, manufacturing industries, and other human activities are the main sources of the emission of poisonous substances. Air pollution is one of the most pertinent global concerns right now. In 2019, about 12% of global deaths were attributed to household air pollution (ref. link<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

A study demonstrated an increase in cardiovascular diseases from 0.5% to 1.5% (ref. link<\/a>)<\/span>\u00a0for every boost in particulate matter as low as 5 micrograms per cubic metre. This particulate matter is invisible to the naked eye and results from chemical reactions between pollutants. For example, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide reactions are ejected from automobiles, the combustion of materials, and industrial processes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2021, the WHO released air quality guidelines (ref. link<\/a>) <\/span>recommending permissible concentration of pollutants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is Intoxication Through Air Highly Effective?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The absorption of harmful chemicals that enter our bodies through food or water depends on the barriers that it encounters while passing through the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, the air that we inhale directly meets internal structures within the lungs; along the inner surface of windpipes and finally alveoli where exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. Minimal obstacles enable the constituents, including pollutants, to enter the bloodstream.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, the blood passing through the lungs reaches every part of the body, affecting the organs. However,<\/span> the heart can be the most affected (ref. link<\/a>) <\/span>as blood from the lungs reaches the heart before being pumped to other parts. This means to pollutants are at the highest concentration they will be at in the body, while in the heart. Mentioned below are a few ways in which the<\/span> air quality can affect the heart:<\/span><\/p>\n