Heart Disease
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Air Pollution
2.97 In recently (2008) published article in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, it was observed that air pollution could be one of the contributing cause of present global epidemic of heart disease. The primary reason for this new-found association with heart disease has been attributed to inhaled pollutants which set off an increase in “reactive oxygen species” – super oxide molecules that damage heart cells causing not only inflammation in the lungs, but also triggering harmful effects in the heart and cardiovascular system. It is also now being believed that ultra-fine air pollutants, such as those from car exhausts bypass the filtration process of the lungs and may pass into the blood stream and damage the heart and blood vessels directly by setting up inflammation/clotting at vulnerable points in blood vessels. A large part of the gases that form smog (a combination of smoke and fog) is produced when fuels are burnt by means of heavy traffic and high temperatures. Smog has also been implicated as the primary contributor of heart related illnesses. As a precaution, patients with heart disease should avoid places expected to be chock-a-block with air pollutants. They should also avoid smoke and try to exercise in safe, clean air. Studies have revealed that long term exposure to air pollution may lead to the development of atherosclerosis and thicker inner layers of carotid artery which transports blood to the head and neck.
Bisphenol A (BPA) Chemical
2.98 One of the world’s most widely used chemicals, a key constituent of plastic food and drink containers, has been linked for the first time (2008) with increased rates of heart disease and diabetes in adults. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the 10 most common chemicals produced worldwide and gives plastic its rigidity, durability and light weight. Researchers now fear that tiny amounts which leach out of plastic containers into food and drink may cause harm to health.
Age, Gender and Heredity
2.99 Coronary artery disease tends to run in families and the risk increases with age. With advancing age, your heart muscle becomes less elastic making it unable to relax completely between beats. The walls get thickened and it may enlarge in size. Also it is not able to “gear up” for exercises. These physiological age-related changes do lessen heart’s efficiency and make it more prone to diseases. Men aged 45 or older and women aged 55 or older are at risk of heart disease. In every age group men have more attacks than women, the women being protected by estrogen (the female sex hormone) before menopause. You may also be at risk of heart disease if there is a family history of premature heart disease. If your father or brother had heart disease before age 55 or your mother or sister had it before age 65, you have this risk factor. Many health professionals believe that all these risk factors can be mitigated with healthy dietary habits, regular exercise and leading an active lifestyle rather than a sedentary lifestyle.
