The influence of the environment on cardiovascular health
What are the axes of the concept of environment that affect cardiovascular health?
The main axes that have been studied and have been shown to have a significant effect on the function of the heart and blood vessels are air pollution, altitude, temperature changes and environmental noise
How does air pollution affect the heart and blood vessels?
We are referring to suspended particles containing carbon monoxide, lead, arsenic, cadmium and other harmful elements.
In the developed countries of the Western world with the industrial development in large urban centers, there was an accumulation of air pollution with a direct impact on the respiratory system in the 60s and 70s. Already since the end of the previous century, 80% of heart attacks and strokes had been attributed to lifestyle changes and were associated with air pollution through the promotion of atherosclerosis.
The same phenomenon has been observed since 2000 in China, while the implementation of green economy models has reduced air pollution in Europe and America, while stabilizing and/or reducing the associated cardiovascular events.
How do high altitudes affect us?
An immediate increase in blood pressure and heart rate is observed, and in more extreme conditions (>2,500 meters) relative hypoxia and an increase in pulmonary pressures. Normal organisms adapt and recover in about 2 weeks, but patients with heart failure must modify their treatment and reduce their activity to avoid serious deterioration.
Is there a seasonal distribution of cardiovascular events?
We know that heart attacks and strokes are now more common in the winter months and in conditions of extreme temperatures or large temperature changes. Similarly, it has been recorded from patients who wear permanent pacemakers and defibrillators that paroxysms of atrial fibrillation and fatal arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia often occur during periods of large, abrupt temperature changes
What is the effect of environmental noise?
Environmental noise annoyance is basically defined as waking up from intense noise (cars, airplanes, trains) with subsequent stress, increased blood pressure and heart rate. The increase in cardiovascular events in patients who report noise annoyance is impressive, while the triggering of episodes of atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias in these conditions is now documented.
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