Air pollution linked to raised heart attack risk

Scientists have linked exposure to air pollution to an increased risk of heart attack.

Researchers at a Paris university said that their findings showed that being exposed to all major toxic fumes, except ozone, for a period of up to seven days, “significantly” increased the risk of heart attack.

A review of previous studies conducted by Hazrije Mustafic, of the University Paris Descartes, Paris, and colleagues, suggests the risk was identified by three ailments associated with air pollution.

Previous studies linked toxic fumes exposure to higher levels of inflammation marker C-reactive protein in the blood. The protein is associated with heart disease.

The studies also linked high levels of poor air quality to abnormal regulation of heart rate and an increase in blood viscosity.

Researchers said that “improvement in air quality could have a significant effect on public health”.

But they conceded that further research is needed to determine whether improved air quality in itself leads directly to a decrease in the number of heart attacks.

The team’s findings are published in today’s issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.