Continued exposure to fine particles in air pollution increases the risk of developing heart disease among postmenopausal women, according to new research published in the
New England Journal of Medicine
.
But Leslie Cho, M.D., Director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Center at Cleveland Clinic, says those findings are more far-reaching. In fact, she adds, air pollution poses a greater risk of heart disease for
everyone
.
University of Washington researchers examined data from the Women’s Health Initiative, which tracked 65,893 postmenopausal women who lived in 36 metropolitan areas. The researchers found that over a four-year period, as air pollution particles increased, so did the number of heart attacks, cases of coronary disease, strokes and clogged arteries in those women.
Fine particles – dust, soot and various chemicals – are the result of the burning of fossil fuels. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fine particles have diameters less than 2.5 micrometers, which is just a fraction of the diameter of a single human hair.
“This was the best study that’s ever been done in this area,” says Dr. Cho. “Though the study tracked women, the findings indicate air pollution poses similar risks for men.” Researchers also found that every increase of 10 micrograms (10 millionths of a gram) of particles in the air increased the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by about 75 percent. And for every further 10-unit increase in particles, the risk of developing heart disease among postmenopausal women grew by another 24 percent.
Unfortunately, air pollution is a fact of life, Dr. Cho says. “You have to walk outside. You can’t just move to Hawaii to get away from it.” Instead, she says, “you can control your risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease: Stop smoking, reduce your body weight, monitor your blood pressure and lead a healthy lifestyle.”
The limit for fine particles in the air was set in 1997 at an average of 15 micrograms per cubic meter, and the U.S. EPA is required to review and reissue air quality regulations every five years.
An EPA spokesperson quoted in
The Wall Street Journal
said the agency will review the study’s findings. But the World Health Organization recommends that governments adopt a level of 10 micrograms per cubic meter.
What you can do
You can conserve energy year-round if you:
-
Set your thermostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter.
-
Purchase energy-efficient appliances.
-
Car pool, use public transportation, bike or walk whenever possible.
-
Use gas logs instead of wood. If you do burn wood, use only dry, seasoned wood.
On days when particle pollution is high:
-
Reduce the number of trips you take in your car.
-
Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
-
Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
-
Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.
Adapted from AIRNow (
http://airnow.gov
).
© Copyright 1995-2008 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 4/1/2007
