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Strong Links Between Heart Attacks And Pollution LONDON -- August 5, 1997 -- One in 50 heart attacks treated in London hospitals may be triggered by outdoor pollution, finds research published in this month’s issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Applied across the United Kingdom, this adds up to 6,000 heart attacks every year, which might be avoided if there was better control of exhaust emissions. Researchers from St George’s Hospital Medical School examined London hospital admissions for circulatory diseases between 1987 and 1994: these averaged 145 a day. Ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and black smoke were measured daily, and potential contributory factors such as temperature, humidity, day of the week and the influenza epidemic of 1989 were accounted for. They found no link between the previous day’s ozone levels and admissions for circulatory disease, but all the other pollutants measured were strongly associated with heart attack, even after allowing for the weather and other potential risk factors. Less consistent, but none the less significant associations were also found between black smoke and angina and nitrogen dioxide and arrhythmia (disturbances of heart rhythm). Carbon monoxide emissions are a particular cause of concern, say the authors, because of the way in which the pollutant compromises the transport of oxygen around the body. This could strain an already susceptible heart during any form of exertion. Links between vehicle emissions and circulatory diseases are "biologically plausible," comment the authors, and add "Our results strengthen the case for the existence of a causal link with myocardial infarction (heart attack)." E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version