EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION ON CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH

Air pollution is a heterogeneous, complex blend of gases, fluids, and particulate matter. Air pollution can originate from traffic, processing plants, power generation, out of control fires or notwithstanding cooking with a wood stove. Air pollution is progressively perceived as an imperative and modifiable determinant of cardiovascular disease in urban areas. Intense introduction has been connected to a scope of unfavourable cardiovascular events incorporating clinical confirmations with angina, myocardial infarction and ischaemia, heart failures, arrhythmias, stroke and increased cardiovascular mortality(Brook, R 2008). Long-time exposure increases an individual lifetime risk of death from coronary heart diseases and the main arbiter of these adverse health effects seems to be combustion-derived nanoparticles that incorporate reactive organic and transition metal components(Mills NL et al, 2009), inhalation of this particulate matter leads to pulmonary inflammation with secondary systemic effect. Acute short-time effects of air pollution tend to strike people who are elderly or already struggling with heart disease, for instance, someone with atherosclerosis, or build up fatty deposits on the inner lining of the arteries, encounters quick inconveniences when pollutants assume a part in causing plaque in a blood vessels to rupture, triggering a heart attack (Heart.org 2015).
Mills NL et al (2009) also suggested that through the induction of cellular oxidative stress and pro inflammatory pathways, particulate matter augments the development and progression of atherosclerosis via detrimental effects on platelets, vascular tissue, acute and chronic exposure to air pollution. Below is the mechanisms through which combustion-derived  nano particulate matter causes acute and chronic cardiovascular disease suggested by Mills NL et al (2009)

Cardiovascular disease is a huge global problem, causing immense suffering and premature death, as well as placing severe strain on national healthcare budgets and family finances. Air pollution cause more than 3 million deaths worldwide each year and causes 3.1 percent of all cases of disability(Neumann, J 2014) .An expanded comprehension of the mediators and mechanisms of these process is essential in the event that we are to create strategies to ensure people at risk and reduce the impact of air pollution on cardiovascular disease.

 Reference

Brook, R., 2008. Cardiovascular effects of air pollution. Clinical Science,115, pp.175-187

Heart.org, (2016). Air Pollution and Heart Disease, Stroke. [online] Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/MyHeartandStrokeNews/Air-Pollution-and-Heart-Disease-Stroke_UCM_442923_Article.jsp#.Voz8mvmT-Uk [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016].

Mills, N.L., Donaldson, K., Hadoke, P.W., Boon, N.A., MacNee, W., Cassee, F.R., Sandström, T., Blomberg, A. and Newby, D.E., 2009. Adverse cardiovascular effects of air pollution. Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine, 6(1), pp.36-44.

Neumann, J. (2014). Air Pollution A Big Factor In Heart Disease, Experts Warn. [online] The Huffington Post. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/18/air-pollution-heart-disease_n_6348586.html [Accessed 6 Jan. 2016]