How what you breathe might cause you to inhale a heart attack

September 22, 2:11 PMSF Fitness ExaminerJim Evans

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 It might sound preposterous at first, but researchers at the University of Michigan Health System (http://www.med.umich.edu/) have determined that the very air we breathe might exacerbate heart disease – especially in urban areas of high pollution.

According to the American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org/) almost one out of every three Americans already suffers from high blood pressure or hypertension – a significant health problem that can lead to heart attack or stroke. The new U-M research found that inhaling air pollution for just over 2 hours caused a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure.  Worse, the impairment of blood vessel function might last as long as 24 hours.

 “Although this increase in diastolic blood pressure may pose little risk to healthy people,” says Robert D. Brook, M.D., lead author and assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at U-M Health Systems, “in people with underlying coronary heart disease, this small increase may actually be able to trigger heart attack or stroke.”

While ozone might typically be assumed to be the “bad guy” in this equation, the study showed instead that small microscopic particles - about a 10th of the diameter of a human hair - caused the increase in blood pressure and adversely affected blood vessel function. Researchers believe that these fine particles deposit deep into the lungs, and certain components may gain entrance to the blood stream, or cause an inflammatory response throughout the body.

Brook maintains that these findings should reinforce efforts to maintain current ambient air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “It really bolsters and strengthens the importance of maintaining air quality for human health,” he says.

While it is impossible to avoid air pollution altogether, there are practical ways to avoid exposure to high levels of air pollution, says Brooks, such as avoiding unnecessary travel or commutes and not exercising during rush hour, or near busy roadways. In modern society, the burning of fossil fuels is the primary source for air pollution.

“If air pollution levels are forecasted to be high, those with heart disease, diabetes or lung disease should avoid unnecessary outdoor activity,” he says.

Source: UMHS Newsroom (http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/newsroom/)