New research from the British Heart Foundation reveals that residing in the most polluted UK areas raises heart failure risk by 27%
A recent study by the British Heart Foundation has uncovered a concerning link between air pollution and heart health. Individuals living in the top 10% of UK areas with the highest PM2.5 pollution levels face a 27% increased risk of developing heart failure compared to those in the least polluted regions. This significant finding underscores the urgent need for improved air quality to protect cardiovascular health nationwide.
27% increased risk of heart failure following PM2.5 exposure
PM2.5 is a pollutant released from various sources, such as traffic emissions and industrial processes. These particles are 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair, meaning they are small enough to get into the bloodstream after being inhaled.
To understand the impact of PM2.5 on health, researchers analysed data from the UK Biobank health study, which included 299,323 people. Following this, they investigated rates of strokes and heart failure in the same cohort over a decade.
Individuals living in the worst 10% of areas for PM2.5 pollution had a 27% higher risk of developing heart failure compared to those living in the best 10% of areas for PM2.5 pollution. The risk of having a stroke was 7% higher for those in the worst places.
Living in polluted areas ages your heart
Based on figures from 2010, the most polluted areas in the UK pumped out 3.7 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic metre of air, compared to the least polluted areas in an average year.
For every extra one microgram of PM2.5, the risk of developing heart failure increased by 7% and the risk of stroke by 3%.
Additionally, people exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 were more likely to have a smaller left ventricle, the main pumping chamber of the heart. The researchers suggest this is typical of an ‘older heart’.
Ghita Housni, PhD student at the William Harvey Research Institute, within Queen Mary University of London, said:
“We know cleaner air means healthier hearts, and this research lays bare the impact of air pollution on public health. Reducing your exposure to air pollution is a crucial part of preventing heart conditions in the modern age and lowering your risk of heart failure and stroke. We need to improve air quality by introducing public health strategies which strongly prioritise cardiovascular protection.”
Environmental health is a growing issue
When PM2.5 is inhaled, the immune system triggers inflammation. When the blood vessels become inflamed, they become stiffer and more prone to fatty build-up. This causes high blood pressure, which increases the risk of a stroke. The heart will also work harder to pump blood through inflamed blood vessels, which can lead to heart failure.
After taking into account factors that affect stroke risk, such as age and smoking, researchers found that only a small proportion of people in the study had a stroke. It is estimated that only one extra person in every 100 experiences a stroke in the top 10% of polluted areas, compared to areas with the least pollution. Only an additional two people in every 100 developed heart failure.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, Clinical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:
“We know there are no safe levels of air pollution. These early findings, linking high PM2.5 levels to heart failure, add to a growing body of evidence that poor air quality is detrimental to our hearts.
“It’s good to know that the kind of PM2.5 levels experienced by the people in this study have already improved since the introduction of Government targets in 2021. Nevertheless, these levels still exceed World Health Organisation guidelines. Going further to reduce air pollution could help the UK to prevent premature cardiovascular disease, and save and improve lives for current and future generations.”
