Short term exposure to Air Pollution Increase Risk of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

In a recent study, Marcus Dahlquist and team uncovered a concerning link between air pollution, even at low levels, and an elevated risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. While the adverse effects of air pollution on cardiovascular health have been widely acknowledged, this study sheds light on its specific association with a critical health issue.

Conducted from 2009 to 2019, the study utilized data from the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (SRCR) to explore the correlation between short-term exposure to air pollution and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases. Researchers calculated daily air pollution levels across Sweden with the help of a satellite-based machine learning model.

The study, involving 29,604 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, made a startling revelation. Particulate matter measuring less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), a common air pollutant, was identified as a major contributor to the heightened risk. In a multipollutant model, the link was most prominent when examining intermediate daily lags, showing a 6.2% increased relative risk per 10 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) increase in PM2.5 just four days before the cardiac arrest event. Furthermore, a similar association was observed for particulate matter measuring less than 10 micrometers (PM10).

However, the study did not establish a clear connection between out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and ozone (O3) or nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure, suggesting a unique risk factor posed by particulate matter.

These findings are significant because they emphasize the detrimental impact of air pollution, even at levels considered below current regulatory standards. With cardiovascular diseases being a leading cause of global mortality, the study underscores the importance of mitigating air pollution, not just for respiratory health but for reducing the risk of sudden, life-threatening cardiac events.

This study from Sweden adds to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the harmful influence of particulate matter in the air we breathe. It serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for air quality management and policy changes to safeguard public health, particularly in urban areas where air pollution tends to be more concentrated.

Source:

Dahlquist, M., Frykman, V., Hollenberg, J., Jonsson, M., Stafoggia, M., Wellenius, G. A., & Ljungman, P. L. S. (2023). Short‐Term Ambient Air Pollution Exposure and Risk of Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Sweden: A Nationwide Case‐Crossover Study. In Journal of the American Heart Association. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.123.030456