Deadly Smog: Air Pollution Linked to a Life-threatening Cardiac Rhythm Condition

Heart arrhythmias can cause a fluttering or racing heart, although they are usually harmless. Some cardiac rhythms, on the other hand, can create uncomfortable, even life-threatening symptoms.

A person's heart rate might be rapid or sluggish for a variety of reasons. The heart rate, for example, may increase during activity or decrease during sleep.

According to research presented today at Heart Failure 2022, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC),1 life-threatening arrhythmia is more common on days with highly polluted air.

The study was conducted in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), allowing the authors to track the occurrence of arrhythmias and delivery of life-saving therapy.

Air pollution to heart arrhythmia

(Photo : FRED DUFOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

According to research author Dr. Alessia Zanni, who now works at Maggiore Hospital in Bologna and previously worked at Piacenza Hospital in Italy, those at high risk of ventricular arrhythmias, such as those with an ICD, should monitor daily pollution levels, as per ScienceDaily.

When PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations are high, it is preferable to stay home as much as possible and use an N95 mask outside, especially in congested locations. At home, an air purifier can be utilized.

According to the World Health Organization, outdoor air pollution kills an estimated 4.2 million people each year.

The fourth-largest risk factor for mortality, behind high blood pressure and cigarettes, is unclean air, which accounts for about one in every five fatalities from cardiovascular disease.

Between January 2013 and December 2017, 146 individuals with an ICD were included in the research. 93 of them needed an ICD after a cardiac attack due to heart failure, while 53 had a hereditary or inflammatory heart problem.

A little more than half of the patients (79) had never had a ventricular arrhythmia before, and 67 had previously had one.

Until the end of 2017, data on ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation) was acquired remotely from the ICD.

The device's therapy was also documented by the researchers.

Anti-tachycardia pacing, which transmits electrical impulses to the heart muscle to restore a normal heart rate and rhythm, was used to treat ventricular tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).

During the research period, 440 ventricular arrhythmias were observed, 322 of which were treated with anti-tachycardia pacing and 118 with a shock.

The researchers discovered a link between PM2.5 levels and shock-treated ventricular arrhythmias, with a 1.5 percent greater risk for every 1 g/m3 increase in PM2.5.

They also discovered that when PM2.5 levels were boosted by 1 g/m3 for a week compared to typical levels, there was a 2.4 percent increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, independent of temperature.

There was a 2.1 percent increased risk of arrhythmias when PM10 was 1 g/m3 above normal for a week.

Types of arrhythmias

An erratic heartbeat is known as a cardiac arrhythmia. When the electrical signals that coordinate the heart's beats don't operate properly, heart rhythm abnormalities (heart arrhythmias) arise, as per Mayo Clinic.

Atrioventricular Fibrillation (A-fib)- A fast, uncoordinated heart rate is caused by chaotic heart signals. Although the disease may be transitory, certain A-fib episodes cannot be stopped unless they are treated. A-fib is linked to significant consequences such as stroke.

Fluttering of the atrium- A-fib is comparable to atrial flutter, but the heartbeats are more structured. Stroke is associated with atrial flutter.

Tachycardia in the supraventricular chamber- Supraventricular tachycardia refers to arrhythmias that originate above the lower heart chambers (ventricles). Supraventricular tachycardia generates palpitations, which are hammering heartbeats that come and go quickly.

Sick sinus syndrome- The sinus node is in charge of controlling the heart's rate. The heart rate may oscillate between too slow (bradycardia) and too rapid (tachycardia) if it isn't working properly (tachycardia). Scarring at the sinus node can produce sick sinus syndrome by delaying, interrupting, or stopping impulse travel. The most prevalent age group for sick sinus syndrome in the elderly.

Conduction block- The impulses that trigger heartbeats might slow down or halt if the heart's electrical circuits are blocked. Some blockages have no symptoms at all, while others induce missing beats or bradycardia.