The Air Quality Index (AQI), which is called the index of air quality, is increasing day by day. People are facing many problems due to these pollutants. Do you know that air pollution affects every part of our body, from the skin, and eyes to the heart? Yes, air pollution has a serious effect on the heart health of many people, senior consultant heart surgeon Dr. Niranjan Hiremath has given some information about this.

Increased risk of heart attack
The particulate matter (PM2.5) present in polluted air easily enters our bloodstream. It causes inflammation in the arteries. This inflammation causes the formation of blood clots, which significantly increases the risk of heart attack.

People already suffering from heart disease are at greater risk For
people with high blood pressure (hypertension), exposure to polluted air can further increase their health problems. When pressure on the heart increases, it has difficulty pumping blood normally. This can lead to serious problems like heart failure.

High blood pressure and inflammation
Pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) cause oxidative stress, which stimulates inflammation in the blood vessels. This inflammation causes high blood pressure and accelerates the build-up of plaque in the arteries. This increases the risk of peripheral and other heart problems.

Abnormalities in heart rhythm
Excessive exposure to polluted air affects the autonomic nervous system that controls the heart rhythm. It causes changes in heart rhythm, which is a sign of poor heart health. It also increases the risk of serious heart problems.

Children and the elderly
Changes in air quality have an immediate effect on children and the elderly. This puts them at risk for several problems, including heart problems and heart failure.

Apart from respiratory problems,
air pollution has a serious impact on the health of the heart and blood vessels. Steps we should take to protect the heart from the effects of air pollution include: reducing travel in areas with polluted air, spending more time in places with clean air, and making people aware of the effects of air pollution on heart health.