As many as 1.9 million people dying every year from heart disease due to outdoor air pollution: World Heart Federation

The impact of air pollution on heart disease will lead to millions of preventable deaths every year unless governments introduce legislation to tackle the issue a new global report warnsResearch by the World Heart Federation shows that the number of deaths from cardiovascular conditions caused by air pollution has been on the rise over the past decade and is set to increase furtherA wide range of health problems including obesity and diabetes are being exacerbated by the global policy failure to meet air pollution targets it says describing it as ldquothe greatest single environmental health riskrdquo The study found that air quality levels have barely improved despite a range of measures recommended by the WHO and other agencies leading to as many as 19 million dying every year from heart disease and just under a million from strokes due to outdoor air pollution aloneAir pollution comes from many sources including transport industry and wildfires but the report also details how indoor air pollution poses a serious health riskLaunched at this yearrsquos World Heart Summit the report reveals the extent of the health crisis caused by outdoor and indoor pollution 1 The number of deaths from heart disease attributable to air pollution has increased in some regions by as much as 27 per cent over the past decade 2 Air pollution is nearly ten times the recommended level in countries in Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean 3 There are health inequalities between different countries from air pollution in terms of the level of exposure and effect 4 Tiny invisible particles in air pollution are affecting heart rhythm blood clotting the buildup of plaques in arteries and blood pressure as well as adversely affecting respiratory diseases and other conditions across the body 5 Energy efficiency measures in modern homes as part of netzero can make buildings more airtight and could increase the buildup of air pollutants in homes schools and workplaces Data from the report shows that more than half of the nearly 7 million deaths due to air pollution are from cardiovascular conditions CVDs a number thatrsquos been on the rise over the past decadeExperts say the number is likely to be significantly higher as this data is from only a single air pollutant and considers only heart disease and stroke where as many other cardiovascular diseases are known to be worsened by air pollution Already cardiovascular disease is the worldrsquos top killer claiming more than 20 million lives each year The Western Pacific region saw the highest number of deaths from heart disease and stroke due to outdoor air pollution with nearly 1 million deaths in 2019 and the Southeast Asian Region was a close second with 762000 deaths In the Western Pacific region 45 per cent of the countries have experienced rising air pollution and suffer the highest mortality from stroke and heart disease induced or exacerbated by itIn Southeast Asia Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean air pollution concentrations are nearly ten times higher than recommended Countries facing the some of greatest challenges with air pollution include those in the Eastern Mediterranean with Kuwait Egypt and Afghanistan having the highest levels of PM25 fine particulate matter in the air In Africa the highest levels of PM25 were in Nigeria Niger and CameroonThe report Clearing the Air to Address Pollutionrsquos Cardiovascular Health Crisis shows the sources of pollution and their effects on the heart and circulation Beyond the smoke and smog that we can see tiny invisible particles can get deep into the lungs heart and other organs Even shortterm exposure to air pollution can have many effects throughout the cardiovascular system and longterm exposure worsens chronic diseases such as heart disease stroke respiratory disease and diabetes Adverse effects are even seen on mental health dementia and in pregnancy ldquoAir pollution is ubiquitous sparing no one Both outdoor and indoor pollution are driving deaths from cardiovascular disease which still claims the most lives every year The impacts of air pollution from several sources add up often widening gaps in healthcare for those also vulnerable to pollution and worsening outcomes regardless of demographicrdquo said Dr Mark Miller of the University of Edinburgh and the WHFrsquos Chair of the Air Pollution and Climate Change Expert GroupParticles that damage air quality vary in composition and size with PM25 being the air pollutant most closely linked to detrimental health effects The World Health Organisation recommends countries to not exceed 5 micrograms of PM25 per cubic metre ndash expressed as 5 microgmsup3 Most are way beyond that threshold and only 64 per cent have any form of established legislation that include outdoor air quality standardsWhile the elderly children and those with a lung or heart condition are among those most susceptible to air pollution short and longterm exposure affects everyone to varying degrees Overall lowerincome countries have higher levels of stroke and ischemic heart disease mortality from both outdoor and household air pollution than higher income countries The report shows links between type of disease risk and particular sources of pollution including all major cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease heart failure high blood pressure stroke and many more The increasing threat of other pollutants is concerning since global air pollutionrelated healthcare costs are already projected to surge from USD 21 billion in 2015 to USD 176 billion in 2060 with annual lost working days potentially increasing to 37 billion by 2060iiEmphasising todayrsquos visible impacts of air pollution the new report urges action and targeted investment by governments health and environment decisionmakers and urban planners It highlights some countriesrsquo efforts to reduce or mitigate air pollution with strong potential for yielding health and economic benefits crucial steps given that the urban population is expected to reach nearly 6 billion in the next two decadesldquoWe must combat air pollutionrsquos stranglehold that is causing so many unnecessary deaths and ill health We need to accelerate the implementation of air quality guidelines and minimise the use of fossil fuels Improving transport standards the provision of clean domestic fuels smart infrastructure urban design and agricultural policies can all help air quality The current air pollution crisis in many parts of the world reflects known pollutants and could worsen with the emergence of others all of which underscores the importance of preventive action nowrdquo said Dr Miller