Pollution is an environmental challenge for many countries, including Indonesia. One of the most widespread forms of pollution is air pollution. It spreads a mixture of chemicals, from methane, carbon monoxide, ozone, and others that can risk people's health.

Beyond environmental damage, air pollution is also known to irritate the respiratory system. Air pollution can also affect the health of heart and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in people.

Side Effects of Air Pollution on Heart Health

Research has highlighted the harms air pollution pose for heart health. Air pollution is linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study reported that pollution contributed to 9 million deaths in 2019 from cardiovascular disease, including stroke and ischemic heart disease.

Air pollution is the most common type of pollution and it can be present inside your room or the air outside that we breathe. Pollutants found in air pollution include methane, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. These arise from fuel combustion by vehicles, exhaust from factories and power plants, agricultural sources such as fertilizers and animal waste, cigarette smoke, and other contributors.

In many developing countries, cardiovascular deaths linked to air pollution exceed those tied to smoking and unhealthy lifestyles. When you inhale poor-quality air, pollutants can pass through the respiratory tract into the bloodstream and travel to the heart. These substances can then elevate the risk of heart disease and disorders of the circulatory system.

Some of the harms of pollutants to the cardiovascular system include:

• They make blood vessels to be stiffer and narrower. This reduces blood flow and increases the risks of blood clot formation. As a result, blood pressure tends to increase because the heart must pump blood even harder.

• They strain the heart muscle. Tight, narrowed vessels force the heart to work more, making the muscle prone to tension and stiffness.

• They disrupt the heart’s electrical system. Electrical disturbances can trigger irregular beats, leading to abnormal heart rhythms.

• They alter the heart’s structure, increasing the risk of heart failure.

Pollutants may also worsen existing cardiovascular diseases people had. If you already have blood circulatory diseases, pollutants can increase the risks of blood clots formation and rupture of arterial vessels. This situation can further increase the risks of a heart attack.

Tips to Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease Due to Air Pollution

Long-term exposure to polluted air can gradually affect heart health. If you live in a high-pollution area, consider these steps to lower your cardiovascular risk:

• Always wear a mask in areas known for pollution
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating well and exercising regularly
• Schedule routine medical check-ups, especially tests and examinations that focused on your heart
• Use an air purifier at home
• Avoid spending long periods in polluted locations
• When possible, use public transportation

Tackling air pollution requires action from government and all levels of society. Still, to protect yourself from risks of heart diseases, you can take preventive steps such as wearing a mask and limiting exposure to polluted air. If you have heart diseases, regular medical check-ups are recommended.

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