Air Pollution and Heart Health: How Pollutants Increase the Risk of Arrhythmia, Stroke, and Heart Attack

Air pollution has been linked to various health problems, including heart disease. The fine particulate matter present in polluted air can cause inflammation throughout the body, including the blood vessels. These particles can enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart, where they can cause damage and contribute to the development of heart disease.

According to Times of India, air pollution can cause restricted blood flow to the heart and other major blood vessels increasing the chances of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke. Experts say that the tiny particles can cause narrowing of the heart arteries which leads to heart stoppage in the blood flow and thus causes a heart attack.

The particulate matter from pollutants that we inhale can cause inflammation in our lungs and cardiovascular system. This inflammation can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in arteries, narrowing them and forcing the heart to work harder, leading to an increased heart rate. This increase in heart rate can put a strain on the heart and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Moreover, air pollution can cause irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias by disrupting the electrical impulses that regulate our heartbeat.

​ Additionally, air pollution can lead to an increase in blood pressure and the formation of blood clots, both of which can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Exposure to air pollution over an extended period can also lead to the thickening of the left ventricle in the heart, which is a sign of heart dysfunction.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a heart attack occurs when an artery that sends blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked. Fatty, cholesterol-containing deposits build up over time, forming plaques in the heart’s arteries. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. The clot can block arteries, causing a heart attack. The article also explains the symptoms of a heart attack and what to do if you think you are having one.

According to Better Health Channel, heart disease and stroke are part of a group of cardiovascular diseases that affect your heart and blood vessels. Stroke is a condition in which the brain can’t get blood flow. This happens because one or more blood vessels leading to the brain is blocked or bursts. Heart disease may also be a direct cause of stroke. About one in four cerebral infarctions are due to embolism from the heart to the brain, mainly because of atrial fibrillation, but also because of diseases such as acute myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy and prosthetic heart valves (cardioembolic stroke).

​ Overall, air pollution can have a significant impact on cardiovascular health, and it is important to take steps to reduce exposure, such as using air purifiers and avoiding areas of high pollution when possible.

Effects of Air Pollution on the Heart's Electrical System and Risk of Arrhythmia

Air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including arrhythmia. Studies have found that exposure to air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter can disrupt the normal functioning of the heart's electrical system, leading to abnormal heart rhythms. Specifically, exposure to fine particles and coarse particles in the air has been associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and premature heartbeats. These findings highlight the urgent need to reduce air pollution levels and promote clean air policies to protect public health and prevent cardiovascular disease.

No wonder the scientists the world over are worried about the growing menace of air pollution which today poses before them a greater global health challenge that affects millions of people worldwide every year.

According to South Florida Cardiovascular Associates, air pollution can lead to the blocking and narrowing of blood vessels, causing increased blood pressure. It can damage blood vessels, increase the risk of blood clotting and cause abnormal heartbeat. The article also states that air pollution can cause plaque in a person’s blood vessel to rupture, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, people with pre-existing heart conditions, and those living in areas with high levels of pollution are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution contributes to 7 million premature deaths each year, and cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes.

To protect ourselves from the harmful effects of air pollution, we must take steps to reduce our exposure. This includes avoiding outdoor activities during times of high pollution, using air filters in our homes, and transitioning towards cleaner forms of transportation. Governments and policymakers must also take action to regulate industrial emissions and promote cleaner air policies.

According to a report by Euronews Next, a new study has found that exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of irregular heartbeat, in a large study of 322 Chinese cities. Two common irregular heartbeat conditions - known as arrhythmia - are atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, both of which can progress to more serious heart disease1. The study found that acute exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with increased risk of symptomatic arrhythmia. The risks occurred during the first several hours after exposure and could persist for 24 hours.

According to a report by Time, a new study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has closely tied air pollution linked to the burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, to another heart risk: arrhythmia, or irregular changes in heartbeat1. The study found that acute exposure to air pollution was associated with increased risk of symptomatic arrhythmia. The risks occurred during the first several hours after exposure and could persist for 24 hours

According to The Week, long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with an increased risk of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. The study evaluated hourly exposure to air pollution and the sudden onset of arrhythmia symptoms using data from 2025 hospitals. The research found that the risk of arrhythmia increased by 1.2% for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in PM2.5.

PM2.5 is a fine particulate matter that is less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter and is considered one of the most harmful air pollutants. It can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation and oxidative stress.

“We found that acute exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with increased risk of symptomatic arrhythmia,” said Dr. Renjie Chen, of Fudan University in Shanghai, one of the paper’s 20 co-authors, in a statement. “The risks occurred during the first several hours after exposure and could persist for 24 hours.” source:Air Pollution Affects Heartbeat

Dr. Renjie Chen and his colleagues collected data from 2,025 hospitals in 322 cities in China between 2015 and 2021. The data included 190,115 patients who went to emergency rooms complaining of arrhythmia. The researchers cross-referenced those reports with records from air quality monitoring stations located within 50 km (31 miles) of each hospital on the day each patient appeared. The average range for each monitoring station was actually much closer—just 4.4 km (2.7 miles) from each hospital.

According to Time, the scientists analyzed four distinct types of arrhythmia, namely atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, premature heartbeats, and supraventricular tachycardia. The study concentrated on six hazardous pollutants monitored by air quality stations, namely nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, coarse particles measuring 2.5 to 10 micrometers, and fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers. Among the 190,115 individuals in the study, atrial fibrillation was the most common arrhythmia, affecting 50.6% of the participants, followed by supraventricular tachycardia at 24.8%, premature beats at 21.9%, and atrial flutter at 2.8%. However, the pollutants did not affect all the conditions equally, as atrial flutter and supraventricular tachycardia were more closely associated with unclean atmospheric conditions.

The findings of this study reinforce the detrimental effects of air pollution on cardiovascular health. The strong association between arrhythmias and exposure to pollutants highlights the urgent need to reduce harmful emissions and promote cleaner air policies. Protecting vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with pre-existing heart conditions, should be a top priority for governments and policymakers worldwide. By taking decisive action to address air pollution, we can help prevent millions of premature deaths caused by cardiovascular disease each year and create a healthier and safer environment for all.