Doctors warn air pollution not only affects the lungs, but could also contribute to heart disease


DENVER – From wildfires to traffic smog, air pollution continues to increase throughout the United States, with over 131 million people living in places with unhealthy air quality. While environmentalists are worried, doctors at National Jewish Health are also raising concerns that poor air quality is impacting more than just the respiratory system. It is also affecting the heart, putting individuals with cardiovascular disease at greater risk for life-threatening heart events.

“Air quality has been shown over the years to have a major impact on cardiovascular disease risk,” said Andrew Freeman, MD, a board-certified cardiologist at National Jewish Health. “It's a very important and emerging risk factor in everyday practice.”
New research shows when people are surrounded by poor air quality, tiny particles in the air are inhaled into the lungs, causing plaque to build up in artery walls. This causes cardiac inflammation, especially in those living with heart disease.

Dr. Freeman finds many patients are unaware of the connection between these two important organs. “The heart is busy pumping blood out, not only to the body but also on the other side, the right side of the heart, to the lungs,” said Dr. Freeman. “So the heart and lungs are intimately connected.”

Because of this connection, the pulmonology and cardiology teams at National Jewish Health work closely together when treating patients. “Sometimes the problem presents with more than one cause,” said Lisa Maier, MD, a pulmonologist who co-directs the Center for Environment, Climate and Health at National Jewish Health. “It can be something where the lungs are abnormal and they're causing an impact on the heart, or the heart is making the lung disease worse.”

Dr. Maier explains how important it is to be mindful of the air quality, particularly when living with a pre-existing condition. “People may have very low levels of heart disease that may not even be diagnosed,” said Dr. Maier. “And the air pollution actually can help tip them over so that they end up with an acute event.”

Those acute events can include heart attack, heart failure and stroke. Those living with heart disease often experience warning signs when exposed fine particulate matter in the air caused by pollution that manifest in symptoms such as heart palpitations, lightheadedness, unusual fatigue and shortness of breath.

The multidisciplinary team at National Jewish Health stresses the importance of taking precautions to ensure you and your family are breathing the “healthiest” air possible and reducing the risks to both your heart and your lungs:
 
  • Checking the air quality index: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a daily reading of air pollution levels, called the Air Quality Index (AQI). By monitoring alerts, those with increased sensitivities can gauge the amount of time spent outdoors to protect their heart and lungs.
  • Clean air filters regularly: You should regularly change the filters in utilities like your furnace, according to manufacturer guidelines. You can also use room air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove irritants from the air.
  • Monitor ozone levels: Depending on where you live, the ozone can play a big role in the air quality. If it’s a hot, summer day in an urban environment or if there are wildfires in the area, stay indoors. If you need to be outside, Dr. Maier suggests getting out early in the morning or late at night, as ozone levels peak midday.
  • Prioritize your health: Stay consistent with your prescribed medications. If you have an inhaler, use it as prescribed. Find alternative ways to stay active, which is important for your heart health, including walking around the house or office or going to an indoor gym.
Margaret Gibbs, a National Jewish Health patient in her 30's, has dealt with respiratory problems for 10 years, and relocated from Washington D.C. to Denver in search of healthier air. “Poor air quality just makes everything harder. It's affecting everyone, but you can really see it in those of us living with a condition. We're the canaries in the coal mine,” said Gibbs.”Even just talking to family and friends can be difficult when you’re not breathing well.”

Gibbs stays indoors when necessary and ventures outdoors when it’s safe to get fresh air. “It makes a really big difference when you've been stuck in an apartment to be able to go outside,” said Gibbs. “I love when I can enjoy a walk around the neighborhood, go to a coffee shop or just work in my garden.”

The multidisciplinary team at National Jewish Health encourages people to take proactive steps to safeguard their heart and lung health and reach out with any concerns. “It’s so important to have a collaborative team to investigate everything that is affecting a patient’s health and come to a comprehensive diagnosis,” Maier said. “By working closely with other specialties, we are able to help each patient manage their risks and symptoms, whether that’s determining the most effective treatments or advising them on how air quality may affect their condition.”
 

National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of children and adults with respiratory, cardiac, immune, and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit the media resources page.


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