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Out of 30 of the world’s most polluted cities in the world, a saddening 21 were in India as per the survey. The air quality index of India has been worsening by the day, with particulate matter levels rising at alarming rates. The onset of winter in northern India brings various challenges for air quality and visible haze blurs the vision. Is it just the blurred vision and lowered visibility that we need to be concerned about?
According to a study by ICMR, the footfall in the Emergency Department of Hospitals goes up by almost 40 % for respiratory conditions and heart issues during the months of Oct-Nov in Delhi NCR. This timeline coincides with a bad air quality index in the region. More people suffer and report breathing and heart issues. Newer studies are coming to light, which have shown a strong link between health deterioration and bad air quality.
What is a Heart?
The heart is a fist-sized muscular organ inside the human body which pumps blood in the human body system. An average healthy adult’s heart pumps out close to 300 Liters of blood in an hour, at rest. This pumping of blood helps the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. Blood vessels from all over the body take blood to and from the heart and form an important part of the vasculature or blood transport system. It is through this network of blood vessels that the body functions are supported.
What Happens when Transport Vessels get Blocked?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of conditions that involve the heart and blood vessels. The heart pumps blood and carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body—blood circulates throughout the body via blood vessels. CVD can affect the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.
There are many types of CVD, including:
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Blood Vessel Disease
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Irregular Heartbeats
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Heart Problems you're born with.
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The condition of the Heart Muscle.
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Heart Valve Disease
Does Air Quality Impact Heart Health?
Yes! It does. According to studies, ambient air pollution contributes to more deaths than any other environmental factor and infectious diseases combined. Over the years, scientists and medical practitioners have been speculating about the close relationship between air quality and health. Many health scientists have strongly raised concerns about the deleterious effects of poor air quality owing to increased ER footfall for cardiovascular symptoms. A recent study has revealed the chances of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition where the blood vessels get narrowed due to various deposits. These deposits may be of plaque, fats, cholesterol, or other body metabolites. When such deposits build up in the blood vessels, the chances of stroke and Myocardial Infarctions go up:
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Body deposit of Pollutants.
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Narrowing of Vessels.
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Stress on the Overall System.
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Higher instances of Breathing Disorders.
With the worsening of atherosclerosis and increased chances of heart attacks, overall exposure to increased levels of ambient air pollution is detrimental to heart health. To know more visit the best cardiology hospital in Gurgaon.
How to Prevent Damage?
Now that we know air pollution around us is affecting the organs inside us, we need to learn to take care of ourselves.
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Use Air Purifiers
We cannot avoid ambient air pollution in open spaces, but inside our homes and offices, we can try using air purifiers to minimize exposure to air pollutants.
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Avoid Outdoor Workouts in bad AQI
It is good to exercise in the fresh air, and around greenery. One must avoid running or cycling on busy roads and during hours of high AQI.
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Regular Check-Up
Get regular checkups for overall health and risk assessment of your body if you live in a city where the AQI is above healthy levels most part of the year.
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Eat Fresh
The effects of air pollution can not be eliminated, but we can take care of our bodies by including more fresh and seasonal fruits in our diet for overall well-being.
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Breathe Easy
Breathing exercises are beneficial for the body and can improve lung function. A good breath rate and strong lungs can help the heart.
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Heart Healthy Diet
Including Omega-rich fats in the diet, be it flaxseed, cod oil, fish, or other health supplements which are doctor recommended for heart health can help minimize the damage caused by air pollution.
Consult a Doctor Today
It is important to take care of one’s health and those around them. Getting the right help at the right time is key to life preservation. At Manipal Hospitals, we have some of the top cardiologists in Gurgaon, to take care of your heart for you and those who you keep in it.
Consultant - Cardiology
Manipal Hospitals, Gurugram
