Air Pollution: 9 Million People Struggling to Breathe in Toxic Air, Shocking Report Reveals
National Desk: Every winter, when the skies over Delhi and northern India are covered with smog and haze, people often assume the danger is limited to their lungs. However, research and health experts warn that this toxic air can severely impact the heart as well.
How Does Poison Reach the Heart?
According to the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), harmful pollutants such as PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone can enter the bloodstream. Once inside, these particles trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to the arterial lining. This can lead to blockages, high blood pressure, and clot formation—often setting the stage for heart attacks and strokes.
Diseases Triggered by Air Pollution
Studies by NEJM and the American Heart Association (AHA) show that air pollution increases the risk of several cardiovascular diseases, including:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
- High blood pressure
Global Deaths Linked to Pollution
The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health (2022) reported that in 2019, pollution-related illnesses caused 9 million deaths worldwide. Alarmingly, around 62% of these deaths were linked to heart attacks and strokes.
India’s Alarming Reality
India is among the countries facing persistently hazardous air quality levels. WHO data reveals that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in many Indian cities consistently falls into the “poor” category. As a result, cardiovascular diseases are rapidly rising in urban populations, with air pollution emerging as a major contributing factor.
