World Environment Day 2024: Did you know air pollution can cause heart disease?

Updated On: 05 June, 2024 10:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto

Every year, World Environment Day is observed on June 5. While people usually talk about the protection of the environment, it has a bigger role in also helping us maintain good health. As the World Heart Federation report recently indicated how air pollution affects heart health, mid-day.com spoke to Mumbai doctors who explain the connection

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While heart disease is attributed to various lifestyle factors, what connection does air pollution have with heart disease? Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: istock

At the recently concluded World Heart Summit in May, the World Heart Federation published a research study that has indicated 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 further if there is no timely intervention by governments. The non-governmental organisation that has been recognised by the World Health Organization as its partner in dealing with cardiovascular disease around the globe, has found that as many as 1.9 million people are dying every year from heart disease and just under a million from strokes due to outdoor air pollution alone. While heart disease is attributed to various lifestyle factors, what connection does air pollution have with heart disease?

Every year, World Environment Day is observed on June 5 by people around the world to raise awareness and protection of the environment. While deforestation is a concerning issue that often comes at the cost of development, the result is the lack of proper steps to combat air pollution, especially in a city like Mumbai. It not only highlights the need to take necessary measures at the personal level but also governance level to curb air pollution and in the process reduce the effects it has on our health and particularly heart health. One of the easiest ways is by planting trees, say experts, but there is a lot more that needs to be done at the policy level. The WHF study found that Southeast Asia lost over 762,000 people to ischemic heart conditions and strokes that can be attributed to air pollution over the past decade. Dr Mark Miller of the University of Edinburgh, chaired the study taken up by the Air Pollution and Climate Change Expert Group at WHF.

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Home / Lifestyle / Health & Fitness / Article / World Environment Day 2024: Did you know air pollution can cause heart disease?