Risk of heart failure looming over millions of British residents?
In a recent presentation at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Madrid, new research has highlighted the impact of air pollution on heart health in the UK.
Despite a 30% reduction in PM2.5 levels since 2015, the UK continues to break safety limits, with an average of 22 days a year when pollutant levels exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) Index. PM2.5, a common air pollutant, is associated with the greatest proportion of adverse health effects related to air pollution both in the United States and worldwide, according to the World Health Organization's Global Burden of Disease Project.
The research, led by Ghita Housni from the William Harvey research institute at Queen Mary University of London, investigated rates of heart failures and stroke in the UK over a decade, using data from the UK Biobank. The study found that people living in the most polluted areas have a higher risk of developing heart failures or strokes compared to those living in areas with cleaner air.
Specifically, the risk of having a stroke is 7% higher for people in the areas with the dirtiest air, while people living in the worst 10% of areas for PM2.5 pollution have a 27% higher risk of developing heart failure compared to those in the least bad 10% of areas. For every extra one microgram in an area where people lived, the risk of developing heart failure increases by 7% and the stroke risk grows by 3%.
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, clinical director of the British Heart Foundation, stated that going further to reduce air pollution could help the UK to prevent premature cardiovascular disease. She added that the reduction in PM2.5 since 2015 has improved the health of the hearts of people in the study.
The study also found that despite the introduction of government targets in 2021, PM2.5 levels experienced by the people still exceed World Health Organization guidelines. PM2.5 is released from sources including vehicles, industries, and household heating.
Millions of people in the UK are at risk of poor health conditions or heart failures due to air pollution. The researchers emphasised that reducing exposure to air pollution is crucial for preventing heart conditions in the modern age and lowering the risk of heart failure and stroke.
Ghita Housni stated that cleaner air means healthier hearts, and this research lays bare the impact of air pollution on public health. The UK air pollution has dropped in the last decade but dangerous levels still continue to be reached. The search results do not provide the names of the authors of the study on air pollution and health presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Madrid.
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