Air pollution can damage the cardiovascular system and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.
Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued a scientific statement on the damage of air pollution to the cardiovascular system.
Previous studies have shown that the high-risk groups with increased risk of death after exposure to PM 2.5 include those with cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, recipients of organ transplantation, people over 65 years old, obesity and diabetes.
AHA pointed out that increased PM2.5 exposure is associated with cardiovascular disease; there is strong evidence that air filtration and purification interventions can reduce PM2.5 exposure; recent evidence suggests that reducing air pollution exposure may help improve cardiovascular system function.
Protective measures
Including: application of portable air purifier, efficient household air filtration system, N95 and n99 masks, automobile air filter and air conditioner.
The evidence shows that air purifier can improve indoor air quality and reduce indoor PM2.5 level by 50% ~ 60%. People sleep longer in their bedrooms, so it's important to have a portable air purifier in the bedroom.
Some studies have shown that the use of air purifiers can reduce the risk of respiratory symptoms.
At present, there is no clear study showing that the pressure ventilation system in residential buildings is beneficial. Some studies have estimated that the pressure ventilation system is not as effective as the portable air purifier in the presence of wildfire.
Some small-scale studies have shown that under PM2.5 air pollution exposure, wearing N95 mask correctly for several hours may reduce systolic blood pressure and improve heart rate variability. There is not enough evidence to support the replacement of N95 masks with surgical masks.
Behavioral strategy
Behavioral strategies to reduce air pollution exposure include:
(1) Avoid air pollution, including reducing the number of exposure peaks, changing commuting patterns, avoiding close exposure (e.g., exercising 400 meters away from highways or main roads), and establishing air pollution alarms in GPS systems.
(2) Stay at home and close the window.
(3) Adjust exercise and activity: Based on the current evidence, it is suggested that healthy people in high PM2.5 pollution areas avoid outdoor activities, which may do more harm than good. However, it is suggested that the patients with cardiovascular disease should keep away from the main road as far as possible.
There is currently no over-the-counter or prescription drug that can be recommended to prevent air pollution related adverse events, the statement said.
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