Air pollution may up risk of cardiovascular diseases; lowering your BP may reduce the effect

Air pollution is one of the biggest concerns in India. A 2019 worldwide survey ranked India as the 5^thcountry with the worst air quality in the world, after Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mongolia, and Afghanistan. What was more shocking was that 21 out of the 30 most polluted cities were in India. In the same year, air pollution-related diseases led to the death of over 2 million people in India. Exposure to higher pollution levels, particularly PM 2.5, is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The good news is that researchers have found an effective way to reduce this air pollution-related cardiovascular risk.

A new study, published in the journal Hypertension, has suggested that intensive lowering of blood pressure (BP) can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in patients exposed to high levels of air pollution.

The researchers from the Case Western Reserve University in the US found that intensive BP lowering (defined as goal systolic blood pressure lower than 120 mmHg) led to significant reduction in cardiovascular events (including heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, or death from cardiovascular diseases) especially in patients exposed to higher pollution levels.

Previous studies have linked exposure to PM 2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns) with acute and chronic increases in blood pressure and hypertension.

The authors of the new study concluded that lowering of BP is particularly beneficial for patients who are exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter.

What are cardiovascular diseases?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number 1 cause of death globally, leading to an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year.

As per the definition given by the WHO, cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. These include coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, rheumatic heart disease, heart attack, stroke, vascular disease, among others. Heart attacks and strokes are responsible for 4 out of 5CVD deaths and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.

Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases

Signs and symptoms of CVDs may vary depending on the specific condition. However, common symptoms associated with a cardiovascular problem include:

pain or pressure in the chest
pain or discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back
shortness of breath
nausea and fatigue
light-headedness or dizziness
cold sweats

Being overweight or obese as well as having high blood pressure, glucose, and lipids indicate that you’re at risk for developing CVDs. Identifying these risk factors and ensuring appropriate treatment can prevent premature deaths.

Can you prevent cardiovascular diseases?

Yes, some of the disorders within CVDs can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle, which include maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and eating a heart-healthy diet. Smoking is identified as major risk factor for almost all forms of CVD. So, if you smoke, quit it before it damages your heart.

What is a heart-healthy diet? It is a diet that focuses on eating more fruits and vegetables as well as foods that contain polyunsaturated fats and omega-3, such as oily fish while reducing the intake of processed food, salt, saturated fat, and added sugar.

A growing evidence also links exposure to air pollution to cardiovascular illness and mortality. In fact, a 2019 World Health Organisation report, said that more than 20 percent of all cardiovascular disease deaths are caused by air pollution—that’s more than three million deaths every year. It warned that these numbers will continue to rise unless global action is not taken to address this issue.

Source: | This article originally belongs to thehealthsite.com

Air pollution may up risk of cardiovascular diseases; lowering your BP may reduce the effect

Up next

Can you drink apple cider vinegar straight?

Author

shalw

Tags

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

How to control high blood pressure at home during lockdown?

Hypertension may speed cognitive decline at any age; Here’s how you can control high blood pressure

Why Regular Breast Cancer Screening Is So Important For Women? Expert Explains

US FDA allows emergency use of Pfizer vaccine for people over 16: Pregnant women to be exempted

Woman NAKED from waist down stuns fellow passengers as she waits in line for Spirit Airlines flight in Florida

Brazilian jiu-jitsu champ Craig Jones acts out the dream of millions and SHUTS UP Inforwars’ Alex Jones by choking him unconscious

Now shameless conman who stole £2.5m jackpot from the National Lottery by forging a winning ticket in 2009 could STILL reap £350k windfall from sale of his £1.2m home seized from him when he refused to pay £939k confiscation order

Shocking moment five Border Patrol agents CUT through razor wire at Eagle Pass and allow migrants to enter the US – after Texas Governor Abbott re-installed it along Rio Grande

Air pollution may up risk of cardiovascular diseases; lowering your BP may reduce the effect

Up next

Author

shalw

Tags

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You May Also Like