Did you know that the toxic air you breathe in Delhi today can put your cardiovascular health at risk?
“Delhi breathes toxic air”, “Capital is wrapped in a blanket of toxic air”, etc. These are everyday headlines and talking points. If you are a local to Delhi, you will understand how the capital breathes toxic air every year. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was rated as ‘severe’ today. In recent years, poor air quality has been identified as a new risk factor for heart disease, adding to well-established risks such as smoking, hypertension and high cholesterol.
In cities like Delhi, where AQI often reaches alarming levels, exposure to air pollution can be as harmful as smoking ten cigarettes a day. This article explores how high levels of ICA specifically affect cardiovascular health, the symptoms heart patients experience, and the steps they can take to manage and mitigate these risks.
Understanding AQI levels and cardiovascular impact
The Air Quality Index (AQI) provides a standardized way to measure air pollution and its potential health effects. According to interventional cardiologist Dr VC Chauhan, Bhaial Amin General Hospital, Vadodara, here is how AQI levels affect heart health:
- Poor Harmful to sensitive groups, including those with CVD 120
- Very poor Increased risk of health effects, more serious for cardiac patients 250
- Serious health warning, adverse effects for everyone, especially dangerous for patients with CVD 380
Major sources of pollution, such as fuel and biomass burning, adulterated fuel, chemical hazards and traffic congestion, release harmful particles (such as PM2.5) and gases into the air. These pollutants can trigger and exacerbate cardiovascular disease, increasing the likelihood of both immediate and long-term health complications.
Short-term symptoms in high ICA conditions
- Chest discomfort: This can range from mild tightness to severe pain and may be a warning sign of worsening heart disease.
- Palpitations or feeling of anxiety.: Poor air quality can strain the heart and cause irregular heartbeats or palpitations.
- Difficulty breathing: Breathing polluted air can restrict airflow and oxygen intake, making it difficult to breathe.
- Feeling of suffocation or hunger for air: As pollutants clog the lungs and circulatory system, a feeling of suffocation may arise, which is alarming for heart patients.
Long-term risks for cardiovascular patients exposed to poor air quality
The long-term consequences of repeated exposure to poor air quality are concerning for cardiovascular health. When pollutants enter the bloodstream through the lungs, they circulate through the body, creating several potential health risks:
- Damage to blood vessels: Pollutants can narrow and harden blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow freely. Over time, this increases the risk of hypertension and stress on the heart.
- Increased risk of blood clots: Poor air quality can make blood more likely to clot. This raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes, especially in people with existing cardiovascular problems.
- High blood pressure: Pollutants put additional pressure on the heart, which then pumps faster to ensure adequate circulation, raising blood pressure even further.
- Irregular heart rhythms: Certain pollutants can interfere with the heart’s electrical system, causing abnormal rhythms that increase cardiovascular stress.
For people with cardiovascular disease, a high AQI is not just a number but a critical factor that can exacerbate existing health problems and lead to serious, sometimes life-threatening complications. Awareness and proactive measures to reduce exposure to air pollution may be crucial to managing symptoms and reducing the risk of long-term cardiovascular damage.
