US research draws link between air quality and heart attacks

People living in areas of poor air quality could be at greater risk of suffering from heart attacks than the remainder of the population, research suggests.

Evidence gathered by the American Physiological Society suggests that certain air pollutants could work to damage the cardiovascular system and increase the likelihood of cardiac arrest.

Environmental analysis is now underway to help identify which pollutants are harmful and how they affect the cardiovascular system.

Dr Robert Brook, who carried out much of the research on environmental pollution and hypertension, said people can reduce the risk of air contamination by exercising indoors when air quality is unhealthy and during peak traffic times.

The groups thought to be most at risk from the effects of poor air quality are vulnerable people such as the elderly and those who already suffer from coronary artery disease.

Similar research conducted by scientists at the Institute of Epidemiology at the German Research Centre for Environmental Health also identified a link between traffic pollution and heart disease.

The study claimed that efforts to improve air quality within built-up areas would be likely to result in a reduced risk of heart attacks.