A new study published in the journal Radiology has shown that regularly breathing polluted air, even at levels that are generally considered safe, may cause damage to the heart.
The study included nearly 700 participants who either had dilated cardiomyopathy (a heart enlargement issue that can affect the ability to pump blood) or who had normal cardiac MRI findings. The participants were followed from 2018 to 2022 and had their hearts regularly imaged. Additionally, air pollution was measured for each participant’s residence, and their mean daily exposure to fine particulate matter was calculated using the nearest monitoring stations for each person. Air pollution has been previously linked with cardiovascular mortality, and the goal of this study was to see how air pollution, even at low levels, may be damaging or impacting the heart.
The results showed that higher exposure to fine particulate matter was linked to higher levels of myocardial fibrosis for both those with dilated cardiomyopathy and healthy controls. Myocardial fibrosis is a condition in which scar tissue accumulates in the heart muscle. This scarring in the heart can lead to heart problems over time, including heart failure. The largest effects on the heart were seen in women, participants with hypertension, and smokers. Effects on the heart were seen for fairly small increases in air pollution levels, suggesting that even small amounts of pollution can damage the heart over time. For many participants, the exposure levels to air pollution in this study were below levels recommended by several global air quality guidelines.
The authors of the study noted that air quality may play a major role in heart structure and damage, which could lead to the development of heart disease over time. The results of this study suggest that there may be no safe level of air pollution exposure, indicating that there is a need for improved air quality and lower pollution levels in order to prevent heart disease.
Sources: Radiology, Science Daily
