Exposure to Air Pollution Could Trigger Heart Attack Within an Hour, Study Finds

Key Takeaways

• Short-term exposure to low-level air pollutants can induce a heart attack in some people, according to a recent study in China.
• Masking outdoors is one way to protect against air pollution.
Even low levels of exposure to air pollutants could trigger a heart attack within an hour, according to a recent study in China.1
The study, published in the journal Circulation, evaluated more than 1 million cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) over the course of five years.1 Researchers measured the impact of four common pollutants: fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. The results suggested that short-term exposure to any level of these pollutants was associated with the onset of ACS.

What Is Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)?

ACS is an umbrella term for conditions that suddenly block or reduce blood flow to the heart, such as a heart attack or an unstable angina.2
Previous research has linked long-term exposure to air pollution to heart disease. Oxidants in the air can prematurely age blood vessels, cause calcium buildup in the coronary artery, and increase the chances of heart attacks or stroke, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).3

Nicole Weinberg, MD, a cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, who is not affiliated with the study, told Verywell that calcium deposits or oxidants can build up in the heart arteries, even though they may not block the blood flow right away.

The body may react to attack different pollutants and in turn block an artery, inducing a heart attack she added.
Health complications like high cholesterol can increase a person’s risk of a heart attack, she said. Working in environments with poor air quality, like factory settings, industrial cities, or ports, can increase someone’s exposure to air pollution, which could trigger a heart attack as well, she added.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself from Air Pollution?

Weinberg said she recommends looking up air quality in your area with an iPhone app like IQ air, which maps out air quality metrics.
If you live in areas with higher levels of pollution, you can wear a mask outdoors, she said. Masks have been used throughout the pandemic to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, but they can also block some air pollutants from entering a person’s mouth and airways. In China, for example, masking is common way to protect against air pollution, Weinberg said.

People with high cholesterol should also try to be mindful of their diet and work to maintain a healthy eating and exercise routine, she added.