Air pollution: Blood vessels of the heart aging faster

 Air pollution: Blood vessels of the heart aging faster

Particulate matter in polluted air reaches the inner part of the lungs, where oxygen mixes with the blood. Such particles reduce the oxygen absorption capacity of the lungs.

Air pollution: Blood vessels of the heart aging faster

In Nepal, air pollution has increased the risk of heart disease by 40 percent by causing calcium deposits in the blood vessels.

The rate of calcium deposits in the blood vessels of those living in air pollution can be double that of normal.

Doctors have suggested that the government wear masks, eat antioxidant-rich foods, avoid pollution and control industrial emissions.

The damage caused by air pollution is not limited to the lungs. Experts say, "Not only the lungs, but it can also seriously affect the blood vessels and weaken the heart. Blood vessels age prematurely.

According to a study conducted by the Global Burden of Disease in 2019, the death rate due to heart disease in Nepal has increased by 40 percent from 1990 to 2019, with air pollution being a major factor.

How is this possible?

The air contains tiny particles like PM: 2.5 that are invisible to the eye. These are smaller than a micrometer. These particles reach the lungs through inhalation and enter the blood. These particles cause the inner layers of blood vessels to become stiff. This reduces the elasticity and function of the blood vessels.

According to an analysis of more than 100 studies published in The Lancet journal, prolonged exposure to PM: 2.5 and nitrogen oxides causes calcium deposits in the blood vessels, which hardens the arteries. This condition is called atherosclerosis, which obstructs blood flow.

Nepal is also at high risk of this problem, says cardiologist Dr. Madhav Bista. Dr. Bisht says that residents of cities like Kathmandu and Biratnagar in Nepal are at high risk as vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and forest fires are raising air quality to dangerous levels.

He said that the rate of calcium deposition in the blood vessels of those living in such polluted areas can be double that of normal.

When calcium deposits form, blood vessels narrow, which reduces the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. As a result, the risk of heart attack, stroke and other heart diseases increases.

A report by the American Heart Association also shows that the risk of heart disease and stroke increases by 20-30 percent in people exposed to polluted air for a long time. The 2019 data from Nepal further confirms this risk, according to which heart disease has become the leading cause of death in Nepal.

This risk is not only for those living in cities but also for those living in rural areas, says cardiologist Dr. Ashok Shrestha. He says that the smoke from using firewood as fuel in rural areas also has a similar effect on the blood vessels. According to Shrestha, women in such areas may have a 15 to 25 percent higher risk of heart and lung problems.

Causes of weak blood vessels

Air pollution causes oxidative stress in the body, which is caused by free radicals (harmful oxygen molecules). These free radicals damage cells and affect the inner layer of blood vessels, says Dr. Shrestha.

According to Dr. Shrestha, this condition is called endothelial dysfunction, in which blood vessels cannot perform their normal functions. When blood vessel elasticity decreases, blood flow is impeded, which increases the risk of high blood pressure, plaque formation in the arteries, and heart disease.

Like smoking, he says, pollution indirectly and directly disrupts the function of the heart's blood vessels. "Oxidative stress prematurely ages blood vessels. Many of our patients come in at the age of 40 with blood vessel problems that are similar to those of 60," says Dr. Shrestha.

He suggests avoiding pollution as the gases released by pollution can make it more difficult for those who already have heart disease and cholesterol to develop.

A 2017 analysis found that pollution is the second biggest risk factor for heart disease in Nepal. “Pollution accelerates the process of plaque formation in the blood vessels,” says Dr. Bista. “We have seen that traffic police and street vendors in Kathmandu have a lot of such problems.”

This is also confirmed to some extent by the STEPS 2019 survey on risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Nepal. This survey showed that high blood pressure is 30 percent higher in people living in busy areas of the city. STEPS is a standardized method used by the World Health Organization to monitor and study risk factors for non-communicable diseases.

The effect of air pollution on oxygen purity

Before the 1950s, air pollution was not widely discussed. However, after the increase in respiratory and related infections due to industrial factories in England, awareness of this problem increased worldwide.

In Nepal too, urbanization, population pressure, vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions have had a serious impact on the atmosphere. These pollutants have reduced the purity of oxygen in the air we breathe.

Particles smaller than 10 micrometers are abundant in dust in cities like Kathmandu, says Dr. Kamal Thapa, a chest and lung specialist. “These particles reach directly into the inner part of the lungs, where oxygen mixes with the blood,” says Dr. Thapa. “Such particles reduce the oxygen absorption capacity of the lungs.”

According to him, fine particles and toxins Gases (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide) reduce the purity of oxygen and damage lung cells.

Dr. Thapa says that PM 2.5 levels in vehicle exhaust and dust in Kathmandu are 4-5 times higher than the World Health Organization standards. ‘In such a situation, the lungs cannot take in pure oxygen, which leads to low oxygen levels in the blood,’ says Dr. Thapa. ‘This puts extra pressure on the heart, because the heart has to pump blood with less oxygen throughout the body.’

He says that the smoke from firewood, cow dung or coal used for fuel in rural areas pollutes the air inside the house, which is also dangerous.

Effects on other organs

The effects of air pollution are not limited to the lungs, blood vessels and heart. When these harmful particles reach the brain through the blood, it increases the risk of neurological problems such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Reduced blood flow to the kidneys also increases the risk of kidney disease. Similarly, pollution affects reproductive health, which can impair fertility in men and women.

Who is at risk?

Air pollution affects everyone, but some groups are at higher risk. Children are more susceptible because their lungs and blood vessels are still developing.

In the elderly, blood vessels weaken with age, and pollution accelerates this process. The effects of pollution are more severe in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.

Those living on busy city streets, industrial areas, or in areas with high levels of dust and smoke are at higher risk. Although this risk exists in both rural and urban areas of Nepal, Dr. Bista believes that the problem is more serious in rural areas due to lack of health facilities and inability to get to the hospital on time.

How to avoid it?

Although it is difficult to completely avoid air pollution, doctors suggest that its effects can be reduced by adopting some measures.

-Using a mask: Wearing a mask is mandatory in cities like Kathmandu where there is a lot of smog.

-Eat healthy food: Antioxidant-rich foods (apples, amla, oranges, green vegetables, dried fruits) reduce oxidative stress. Foods like omega-3 fatty acids (fish, flaxseed) improve blood vessel health.

-Avoid outdoor pollution: Only go out in areas with dust, smoke, and traffic congestion when necessary. Exercise in the morning and evening when pollution is low.

-Keep the air inside the house clean: Use smoke-free fuel instead of firewood. When using such fuel, use a stove that allows smoke to escape.

-Regular health check-ups are necessary: ​​Blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart health checks can identify problems in time.

-Exercise and stress management: Regular exercise and yoga maintain the flexibility of blood vessels.

-Increase greenery if possible: Planting trees and plants in and around the house helps to clean the air. Indoor plants can be kept, which can help purify the air. Helps.

Long-term solution

“Solutions to air pollution are needed not only at the individual level, but also at the policy level,” says Dr. Shrestha. According to him, the government should implement industrial emission control and green policies. The government should introduce rules to reduce vehicle emissions, promote greening, and control industrial emissions.

Individual use of bicycles, public transport, and reduced fuel consumption contribute to reducing pollution.