Valentine’s Day may have passed, but love is still in the air. With the holiday’s heart-shaped motifs around, February is the perfect time to think about heart health.
Lung health is often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the negative effects of air pollution. Exposure to air pollution can cause negative health effects, including coughing and difficulty breathing. Frequent exposure can lead to chronic conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, air pollution also affects the heart. Long-term exposure to certain pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), can contribute to an additional buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries. This plaque can restrict blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Children, the elderly, and those with certain pre-existing conditions are at a heightened risk of the negative effects of air pollution.
There are plenty of ways we can protect our heart health. While most days in New York state have clear skies and clean air, occasional poor air quality days do occur. You can be sure to know when this happens by checking the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast and signing up to receive alerts when air quality health advisories are issued. On days with poor air quality, limit outdoor physical activity.
Time outdoors is great for our health, not just for our heart, but for our entire body. Time spent outside has been linked to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones, as well as increased immune function. Let’s all work together to keep our air clean and continue to enjoy the positive health benefits.
