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Delhi Air Pollution Triggers Heart Emergencies
8 Jan
Summary
- Cardiovascular emergencies increased in Delhi linked to air pollution.
- Hospital admissions rose with higher AQI, PM10, and PM2.5 levels.
- No similar heart emergency trend observed in Shimla during the study.
A health surveillance study conducted in Delhi between January and July 2021 established a clear correlation between air pollution and cardiovascular emergencies. Researchers observed that hospital admissions rose significantly with increased levels of AQI, PM10, and PM2.5. Specifically, a 10-unit rise in AQI led to a 1.8% increase in cardiovascular events within one day.
This association was not consistent in Shimla, where the link between pollution and heart health was statistically insignificant. The study, which analyzed over 41,000 hospital admissions, identified myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease as the most common conditions in both cities.
Patient profiles differed between Delhi and Shimla. Delhi patients exhibited higher rates of physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, hypertension, and psychological stress. Conversely, tobacco use and solid fuel cooking were more prevalent in Shimla. COVID-19 status did not show significant variation between patients in the two cities.
