Air pollution may even harm blood vessels of healthy young

Even young, healthy adults can suffer blood vessel damage from air pollution, a new study finds.
Periodic exposure to fine particulate matter -- tiny pollutants from cars, factories, power plants and fires -- isn't a health risk only for the ill and the elderly, the researchers concluded.
The three-year study in Provo, Utah, tied this form of air pollution to abnormal changes in the blood of young adults, age 23 on average. Over time, these abnormalities could lead to heart disease, the researchers said. The findings suggest that living in a polluted environment could promote development of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke more pervasively and at an earlier stage than previously thought, said study researcher Timothy O'Toole. He's with the Diabetes and Obesity Center at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.
"Although we have known for some time that air pollution can trigger heart attacks or strokes in susceptible, high-risk individuals, the finding that it could also affect even seemingly healthy individuals suggests that increased levels of air pollution is of concern to all of us, and not just the sick or the elderly," O'Toole said.
A New York City cardiologist agreed.
"Blood vessel injury is the cornerstone of cardiovascular damage that leads to heart attacks and strokes," said Dr. Satjit Bhusri, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital.
This study helps explain how toxins in the air might cause such damage, Bhusri said. It suggests air pollution increases cell damage and artery injury. It also suggests that there are biochemical signs that prevent new blood vessel growth and promote cell death, Bhusri noted. 
"Taken together, we now have a clear link to air pollution and inherent blood vessel damage that can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease," he said.
          
    HealthDay

Air pollution may even harm blood vessels of healthy young

Even young, healthy adults can suffer blood vessel damage from air pollution, a new study finds. Periodic exposure to fine particulate matter -- tiny pollutants from cars, factories, power plants and fires -- isnt a health risk only for the ill and the elderly, the researchers concluded. The three-year study in Provo, Utah, tied this form of air pollution to abnormal changes in the blood of young adults, age 23 on average. Over time, these abnormalities could lead to heart disease, the researchers said. The findings suggest that living in a polluted environment could promote development of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke more pervasively and at an earlier stage than previously thought, said study researcher Timothy OToole. Hes with the Diabetes and Obesity Center at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Although we have known for some time that air pollution can trigger heart attacks or strokes in susceptible, high-risk individuals, the finding that it could also affect even seemingly healthy individuals suggests that increased levels of air pollution is of concern to all of us, and not just the sick or the elderly, OToole said. A New York City cardiologist agreed. Blood vessel injury is the cornerstone of cardiovascular damage that leads to heart attacks and strokes, said Dr. Satjit Bhusri, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital. This study helps explain how toxins in the air might cause such damage, Bhusri said. It suggests air pollution increases cell damage and artery injury. It also suggests that there are biochemical signs that prevent new blood vessel growth and promote cell death, Bhusri noted. Taken together, we now have a clear link to air pollution and inherent blood vessel damage that can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, he said. HealthDay