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Chicago, IL — A groundbreaking study has revealed that air pollution significantly exacerbates inflammation in individuals with heart disease, particularly those suffering from heart failure. Presented at the American Heart Association’s 2024 Scientific Sessions in Chicago, the research underscores the heightened vulnerability of heart failure patients to poor air quality and highlights actionable steps they can take to safeguard their health.
The study, conducted by Intermountain Health, focused on two inflammatory biomarkers: CCL27 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 27) and IL-18 (interleukin 18). Researchers found that these markers spiked in heart failure patients exposed to air pollution, while no such changes were observed in individuals without heart disease.
“These biomarkers rose in response to air pollution in people who already had heart disease, but not in patients who were heart disease-free, showing that heart failure patients are not as able to adapt to changes in the environment,” said Dr. Benjamin Horne, principal investigator of the study and a professor of research at Intermountain Health.
The Role of Pollution in Cardiac Inflammation
Previous studies have shown that chronic conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worsen during air pollution spikes. However, the new findings provide more specific insights into how air pollution impacts cardiac inflammation.
The research team analyzed blood samples from patients to measure levels of 115 proteins linked to inflammation. Among these, CCL27 and IL-18 showed marked increases in heart failure patients during air pollution events such as wildfire smoke in the summer and winter inversions, where pollutants are trapped close to the ground by warm air.
“These findings give us information about mechanisms in people with heart failure who are having inflammation and suggest they’re not as capable in responding to acute inflammation as people who are healthy,” Dr. Horne explained.
Protecting Heart Failure Patients
The study highlights the urgent need for heart failure patients to take precautions during periods of poor air quality. Practical steps include:
- Monitoring air quality reports and staying indoors during high-pollution events.
- Using air purifiers at home to reduce indoor pollutants.
- Wearing high-quality masks when outdoor exposure is unavoidable.
- Consulting healthcare providers about additional measures to manage their condition during pollution spikes.
With the increasing frequency of pollution events due to climate change, researchers stress the importance of public health strategies and individual awareness to mitigate risks for vulnerable populations.
This study sheds light on the direct physiological impact of environmental factors on heart disease, paving the way for targeted interventions to protect at-risk patients.
