How Does PM2.5 Endanger Your Heart? Protect Your Cardiovascular Health From This Deadly Air Pollution
How does PM2.5 endanger your heart? Protect your cardiovascular health from this deadly air pollution. When we talk about the diseases that come with PM2.5 air pollution, most people probably think of respiratory diseases or lung cancer, right? Of course, the organs most affected by air pollution are inevitably those that serve as the gateway through which that pollution enters the body. But in reality, the dangers of air pollution don't stop there — because if you breathe in large amounts of airborne contaminants, and they accumulate over a long time, that pollution will gradually erode the body from within, especially the "heart," which is one of the organs most affected by pollution!
As is well known, the "heart" is an extremely important organ for the human body, because it is the single organ responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels to every part of the body, keeping each organ functioning normally. The human heart is composed mainly of cardiac muscle and connective tissue. Cardiac muscle is a striated muscle outside of voluntary control, found only in the heart, and it is what enables the heart to pump blood.
So what happens if the heart is affected by PM2.5 air pollution? What are the symptoms, and how dangerous is it?
Today, this article from Sanyawit will take you to the answers together.
PM2.5 and the Danger That Harms Your Heart
Did you know? Air pollution, or airborne dust, is a major risk factor that can cause heart disease. The latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) states that more than 20% of deaths from cardiovascular disease are caused by air pollution, and more than 3 million people die from it every year — a very large number compared with heart disease arising from other causes. The WHO states that if the air contains PM 2.5 in excess of 10 – 25 micrograms per cubic meter and the body is continuously exposed to it over a long period, it causes inflammation, adversely affecting blood clotting and the function of vascular endothelial cells, and leading to chronic diseases including heart disease, lung disease, and cancer. In short, simply breathing dust into the body is already enough to put you at risk of serious diseases that no one wants to face.
The danger of PM2.5 dust to heart health: When it occurs acutely, it makes the blood vessels around the heart fragile and carries the risk of rupturing the vessels in that same area. Moreover, in patients who already have heart disease, pollution acts as a trigger that worsens their existing condition. Over the long term, the effects involve changes at the cellular level, triggering inflammation throughout the body and thickening the blood vessels, causing the muscle of the vessel walls to grow — harmful to the body to a degree comparable to a smoker. It is also expected to become one of the major risk factors for heart disease in the future.
The danger of PM2.5 dust to the lungs and respiratory tract: Air pollution is both a cause and a contributing factor in diseases of the lungs and respiratory system, and can trigger flare-ups — including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.
The danger of PM2.5 dust to our brain: Research from numerous institutions suggests that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of hardening of the cerebral arteries, raising blood pressure and increasing blood viscosity — all of which are risk factors that can cause blood clots in the brain.
And that's not all! Data from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) states that air pollution has driven up the number of deaths in Europe, with the death rate rising by as much as 800,000 people per year. In addition, researchers have found that air pollution causes approximately 8.8 million additional deaths worldwide — higher than the previously estimated 4.5 million. This means that each year, air pollution causes more deaths than smoking — and while smoking can be quit, air pollution cannot be avoided as long as we must keep breathing in and out at all times.
For this reason, it should not be regarded as a distant concern; rather, we should look out for ourselves and those around us starting today — especially those who live in high-risk areas such as large cities, industrial zones, and places where burning frequently occurs. Otherwise, your physical health and the health of your heart may decline far sooner than expected.
Who is in the high-risk group that must take special care?
Children – Generally, the younger the age, the greater the risk of various diseases, because a child's lungs and immune system are still developing. Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution impairs lung growth in school-age children. Compared with adults, children spend more time outdoors playing sports and engaging in outdoor activities. In addition, children have a higher rate of asthma and severe respiratory diseases, which can flare up easily when pollution levels are high — so great care should be taken.
Pregnant women – Pregnant women are often especially vulnerable to air pollution. Recent studies have found that exposure to high levels of particulate air pollution during pregnancy is linked to premature birth, low birth weight, an increased risk of miscarriage, and a higher infant mortality rate.
The elderly – The older you get, the greater the risk of pollution-related problems, because the immune system of older adults tends to weaken as the body declines, and an elderly body is often less able to cope with air pollution. In addition, older adults are more likely to have undiagnosed heart or respiratory conditions that flare up due to air pollution.
Patients – For those with lung or heart disease — such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — there is a risk that their symptoms will become more severe, because particulate matter can aggravate pre-existing conditions.
And even if you don't fall into any of the high-risk groups above, having to live amid pollution for a long time can still harm the health of your heart all the same. As mentioned, the serious diseases caused by PM2.5 dust are something that accumulates in the body over a long time. If we don't hurry to find a way to protect ourselves before it's too late, our bodies are sure to be affected in one way or another.
And for anyone searching for a way to protect their heart health from this deadly pollution, Sanyawit already has the solution!
When you think of clean air, free of the PM2.5 that harms the heart, let Sanyawit take care of you
If you want a dust-free, safe home, "Sanyawit" can help.
Sanyawit is a business established to carry out air-quality improvement under the standards of the Ministry of Public Health. Here we offer comprehensive design, installation, and consultation services for clean-air systems in the home — to create good-quality air that is clean and safe, at the same standard as the sterile rooms of leading hospitals. This is achieved through the operation of our clean-air equipment such as the HCU, which is able to filter good air into the home and drive out the pollution suspended in the air by creating positive pressure, so that stale air is pushed out through the various gaps in the home, preventing outdoor pollution from entering — a working principle that differs from ordinary air purifiers. This ensures that the air inside the home is of good quality, clean, and truly safe from dust as well as germs, bacteria, and various viruses. We can say with confidence that with our service, you will not be disappointed.
- Clean, sterile, free of pollution
Cleanliness is controlled with Anti-Bacterial measures
to industrial-grade and medical standards.
- Greater confidence, with fire-resistant materials for added safety
Because we choose to insulate the room walls with Sandwich Panel —
fire-resistant walls that control pathogens, meeting GMP and HACCP standards
as well as international Clean Room Class standards.
- Great prices, quality work beyond its cost
Fast installation, great prices, quality work beyond its cost.
A 1-year workmanship warranty with comprehensive after-sales service.
Sanyawit — worth more than it costs: clean, safe, and dependable at every step of the work.
When you think of clean air and effective infection control by an experienced team, it has to be Sanyawit.
If you're interested in inquiring about or using our clean-air system installation service with Sanyawit, you can contact us at any time.