Dirty air harms the heart more cocaine and alcohol
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Scientists came to the conclusion that the small particles that are contained in air polluted by exhaust fumes and industrial emissions cause the same number of heart attacks as negative emotions, heavy physical activity and excessive consumption of alcohol.
Researchers emphasize that at an individual level the threat posed by polluted air is barely noticeable, but when viewed on a large scale by the example of a large number of people, it becomes more obvious.
Scientists have analyzed data from previous studies of various factors that can lead to a heart attack. They found that consuming cocaine increased the risk of a heart attack by 24 times, while exposure to polluted air increased the risk by only 5%. Although the chances of surviving a heart attack are high enough with cocaine use, much less cocaine use than exposure to polluted air. Therefore, scientists came to the conclusion that the so-called population attributable risk of heart attacks due to polluted air is much less than that due to cocaine.
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