Smog is damaging hearts and blood vessels
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
There's been a lot of talk about the impact of Beijing smog on the athletes competing in the Olympics. Researchers have new data about the effects of pollution on the heart. Pollution that affects all of us, not just elite athletes.
Experts from the American College of Cardiology reviewed the latest research on air pollution, and found evidence that exposure to ultrafine particles can damage heart and blood vessels. They say when pollutants are inhaled a series of negative reactions occur, including some that activate molecules that can hurt the heart.
Other studies show that on high pollution days there's a spike in hospital admissions for heart attack and chest pain. The elderly and patients already diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes may be especially vulnerable.
The study was led by researchers at the University of Southern California and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
