But while the effects of air pollution on the lungs have been known for more than half a century, researchers are now seeing the range of its impact on heart health. Dr Mark Miller, a research scientist funded by the British Heart Foundation, explains the impact that air pollution has on the heart, as well as our blood and blood vessels. “Scientists knew that air pollution had an impact on the lungs, but there was increasing evidence that diseases of the heart, the blood vessels and the blood are associated with air pollution” says Dr Miller, who began exploring the impact of air pollution at the University of Edinburgh almost 20 years ago. The effects of air pollution include stopping blood vessels relaxing and contracting, as well as increasing blood pressure, which affects the flow of blood around the body. Dr Miller stresses that even short exposure to air pollution can cause these to happen in healthy people.

Source: Express May 31, 2023 12:44 UTC