Lifestyle Changes
Pollution and Heart Health
The air you breathe is mostly made up of nitrogen and oxygen gasses. This air also contains particles from power plants, industrial factories and vehicles. According to Harvard Medical School, these pollutants can lead to heart attacks, strokes and irregular heart rhythms. The World Health Organization has estimated that around seven million people die every year from exposure to polluted air. Another multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis and air pollution shows that long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to a build-up of calcium in the arteries, causing them to harden and narrow. Over time, this can lead to coronary artery disease.
Noise pollution can also pose a risk to your heart health. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to environmental noise from trains, planes and cars may raise your blood pressure and disrupt your sleep, both of which can lead to an increased risk for heart disease.
So, what can we do to help limit our exposure to pollution? One step is to avoid exercising near busy roads and industrial factories. You can also reduce the pollution you create by walking or biking, when possible. In addition, if you suffer from asthma or coronary artery disease, you may want to keep an eye on your local air quality data and consider staying indoors if the air quality is considered poor in your area.
While you can’t control air quality or completely eliminate air and noise pollution, taking steps to keep your heart healthy, such as exercise and eating a heart healthy diet, may reduce your risk of heart disease.
As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only a physician can determine whether Impella is an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks including acute renal dysfunction, Aortic valve injury, Bleeding, Cardiogenic shock, Cerebral vascular accident/Stroke, Death, Hemolysis, Limb ischemia, Myocardial infarction, Renal failure, Thrombocytopenia and Cardiac or Vascular injury (including ventricular perforation). These risks need to be discussed with your doctor and recovery takes time. The success of this procedure depends on many factors, including your physical condition and your body’s ability to tolerate the procedure. Use care in the selection of your doctors and hospital, based on their skill and experience.
As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only a physician can determine whether Impella is an appropriate course of treatment. The potential adverse effects (e.g., complications) associated with the use of the Impella RP System, Impella RP with SmartAssist and Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist: Arrhythmia, Atrial fibrillation, Bleeding, Cardiac tamponade, Cardiogenic shock, Death, Device malfunction, Hemolysis, Hepatic failure, Insertion site infection, Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (a severe form of deep venous thrombosis), Pulmonary valve insufficiency, Respiratory dysfunction, Sepsis, Thrombocytopenia, Thrombotic vascular (non-central nervous system) complication, Tricuspid valve injury, Cardiac or Vascular injury (including ventricular perforation), Venous thrombosis, Ventricular fibrillation and/or tachycardia. These risks need to be discussed with your doctor and recovery takes time. The success of this procedure depends on many factors, including your physical condition and your body’s ability to tolerate the procedure. Use care in the selection of your doctors and hospital, based on their skill and experience.
References
- Air Pollution: A Threat to your Heart and Longevity? https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/air-pollution-a-threat-to-your-heart-and-longevity
- Air Pollution and Heart Disease: An Important link. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/featured/air-pollution-and-heart-disease-important-link
NPS-1705