Air Pollution Threatens the Heart As Much As Smoking

Drawing attention to the effect of air pollution on heart health, Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Değertekin: “Recent studies show that the negative effect of air pollution on heart health is at least as effective as smoking.”
Urbanization is increasing rapidly all over the world, especially in developed countries. With urbanization starting so fast, the environmental pollution created by cars and tall buildings is a serious risk factor.'' Stating that recent studies reveal the negative effect of air pollution on heart health, Yeditepe University Hospitals Head of the Cardiology Department Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Değertekin drew attention to important details.

Research Proved It

In the study, a group of patients who were exposed to diesel exhaust was examined, Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Değertekin stated: “There are patients left here for environmental pollution. The patients who were exposed to smoke waste and gold dust particles from the factory were tested separately. When the air quality is reduced, particles are released that cause damage to the body. When this is triggered, if there is vascular damage, this becomes active, and sudden vascular occlusions, stroke, and heart attacks are seen."

Air Pollution Must be Taken Seriously

Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Değertekin: “In the measurements of people exposed to exhaust gas caused by air pollution and prolonged traffic, high blood pressure, respiratory problems, and loss of vascular elasticity was determined even at that moment. These significantly increase the risk of heart disease. At the same time, if the person has heart disease, recurrent seizures are observed. There are identified heart disease risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol. But we also see air pollution as a serious risk factor in the recent past. This is a problem that needs to be addressed.”

Are Individual Precautions Possible?

Stating that this risk can be reduced with individual measures, Prof. Dr. Değertekin: “Turn off the ignition on your car in traffic jams. Reduce the amount of polluted air we release by using the heating and cooling of the building we are in at the optimum level. Every precaution we take individually to protect the environment, in other words, to reduce the use of plastic bags, will reduce environmental pollution. Some factors have a negative effect, such as ongoing smoking habits and intense stress, especially in the young population, which are seen as risk factors. In addition, from childhood, the person should be directed to active life and sports. From childhood, eating habits and palate should be taken under control. As a society, it is important that we move more towards exercise, increase physical activation, leave the car one stop beforehand and continue on foot, and if possible, put the car into traffic. This is important for both air pollution control and physical exercise.”

Work the Legs for Heart Health

Explaining that exercising leg muscles protects heart health, Yeditepe University Hospital Cardiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Değertekin: “Small exercises of 15 minutes at home also reduce heart attack and high blood pressure. At the same time, the risk of sugar is reduced. It is important to exercise your legs. Because the most muscle mass is in this area. The more the leg area moves, the lower the sugar rate. This positively affects the entire metabolism. Smoking and alcohol should also be avoided. Western countries that pay attention to this have reduced their risk of heart disease by 40 percent in the last 20 years. The incidence of heart disease in Europe has suddenly fallen to two.”