Air pollution emerging as an emergency medical issue, Health News, ET HealthWorld

 

Air pollution continues to be a major public health concern and a difficult problem facing society. Recently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has exceeded the risk standards of the NCR region, causing havoc in the lives of all.

Despite the long-known adverse effects of air pollution, there is little recognition that most of the morbidity and mortality caused by it is due to cardiovascular effects. Evidence from epidemiological studies shows a strong link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease, including stroke. Of particular concern is the discovery that the association is stronger in low- and middle-income countries, where air pollution is projected to increase as a result of rapid industrialization.

Over 90% of the world’s stroke burden is associated with correctable risk factors, of which air (environmental and household) pollution is at the top of the list. Therefore, it is important to prevent casualties from stroke due to air pollution. Recognizable symptoms occur before a stroke, often known as a ministroke. Symptoms last for only 1 minute, but show a major onset of stroke within 2 days. Inhaled compounds such as PM and CO cause blood clot formation and block blood flow to the brain, so timely intervention can protect 2 million neurons per minute.

Air pollution ranks among the top five risk factors for death in emerging economies such as India and China. It was estimated that 99% of deaths from household air pollution and 89% of deaths from surrounding air pollution occurred in low- and middle-income countries. In 2015, air pollution accounted for 19% of all cardiovascular deaths, 21% of stroke deaths, and 24% of ischemic heart disease deaths, according to a Global Burden of Diseases study. The strong association between air pollution and atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction and stroke is very high.

Long-term exposure to PM 2.5 exceeds the current risk of cardiovascular mortality by 11% for every 10 units increment, according to various analyzes of major studies. Interestingly, an increased risk was also observed in areas where PM2.5 meets the European Union air quality standard of 25 μg / m3. This is lower than the recommended value in Japan, and the incidence of carotid artery occlusion, which is the main blood vessel supply, is also increasing. Brain with elevated PM2.5 concentration. Recent systematic analysis shows that even short-term exposure to air pollutants such as PM 2.5 can lead to increased hospitalizations and stroke deaths.

Particles inhaled into the lungs are ingested by cells called macrophages. Macrophages cause a local inflammatory response in the lungs that eventually spread to blood vessels in the body. This reaction leads to changes in vascular function and circulating lipid levels. Inflammation (reaction) caused by contaminated particles leads to changes in blood circulation, including regulation of heart rate. There is extensive evidence of a decrease in various parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) after exposure to PM2.5. In some animal studies, exposure to urban PM and diesel exhaust particles can increase the incidence or sensitivity of heart rate irregularities (arrhythmias), forming blood clots in the heart and making it more susceptible to stroke. It is shown.

Credit: Dr. Vipul Gupta, Director, Institute of Neuroscience, Artemis Agrim, India