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Air Pollution and Heart Disease and Exercise
Heart disease and air pollution are linked more than intuition and research indicate. If your home has air pollution problems and you have heart disease it's time to stop and take stock of your exercise plan. One thing to consider is doing exercising indoors, especially in a room with an air filter, or outdoors when air quality is not as bad. Continue exercising, but with care. Air pollution and heart disease should refocus your exercise plan.
Exercise is a common suggestion for people diagnosed with heart disease. However, exercising outdoors in highly polluted areas is a bad idea, according to some studies. Air pollution is a big issue in many cities around the world. It's bad for people with heart problems and causes breathing problems. Health problems are caused by pollution in people of all ages, but especially the very young, very old and those with compromised immune systems. Studies show that patients who have heart disease should refrain from exercising outdoors during times of a high concentration of air pollution.
Some research studies have examined the heart during exercise have found the heart is under greater strain when exercising in high air pollution. This is due to the heart not getting enough oxygen because of the narrowing of the blood vessels leading to it. This strain can cause a heart attack, heart damage, and even death, because the heart isn't working as effectively as it needs.
Heart disease makes the body even more susceptible to blood flow problems. Blood flow problems compound heart disease issues. Finding ways to get your exercise without exposing yourself to air pollution is one important step to take. Avoiding exercise outdoors during high pollution times is one possibility. Exercising indoors in rooms or buildings with air filters is another option. The focus needs to be keeping your blood vessels and circulatory system as healthy as possible to help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
A European study found that the particulates found in diesel exhaust reduces an anti-clotting substance in the blood, causing a significant impact in blood oxygen levels and in circulation to the heart. During exercise the heart needs improved oxygen levels and circulation. With this shown impairment a heart attack or stroke are possible.
There are about 16 million people in the United States who suffer from heart disease. The research around air pollution and heart disease can help make a difference in reducing the number of fatalities directly linked to heart disease.
Because women's blood vessels tend to be smaller their bodies are more susceptible to the effects of air pollution. It becomes even more essential they be take care with their exercise regime when air pollution is high. Long-term exposure to air pollution by exercising outside can decrease the size of the blood vessels even further, making it even more difficult for blood and oxygen to flow properly through the body, and especially through the heart and brain.
Avoiding outdoor exercise during high pollution alerts, you can help keep your heart healthier, so you'll avoid long-term health effects. Exercise is important to your long-term health, but it needs to done in a safer environment. Air pollution and heart disease are your concern in your exercise program.
