Cutting pollution could help hearts

Nearly 100 volunteers with heart disease walked both with and without a facemask - designed for occupational use in factories - for two hours along a busy route in Beijing. We have shown that reducing exposure to particulate air pollution can have direct and rapid beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, can improve cardiovascular health, and, if sustained, could have the potential to reduce heart attacks. The researchers looked at the concentration of air pollution particles that come mostly from burning fuels, and are especially prevalent in traffic fumes. For most people, the benefits of exercising outdoors outweigh the risk from air pollution. We would advise people who have heart disease to try and avoid spending long periods outdoors in places where air pollution is high, as it could worsen their condition.