Living in the most polluted areas increases risk of heart failure by a quarter
People living in the UK’s most polluted neighbourhoods could be 27% more likely to develop heart failure, according to new research led by Queen Mary University of London.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation and presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual congress in Madrid, analysed data from almost 300,000 participants in the UK Biobank health study. Researchers investigated the impact of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a pollutant released by vehicles, industry and household heating, on rates of heart failure and stroke over a ten-year period.
The findings show that people living in the most polluted 10 per cent of areas had a 27 per cent higher risk of developing heart failure, and a seven per cent higher risk of stroke, compared with those in the least polluted areas.
For every additional microgram of PM2.5 per cubic metre of air, the risk of heart failure increased by seven per cent, while the risk of stroke rose by three per cent.
The study also found that people exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 tended to have a smaller left ventricle - the heart’s main pumping chamber. The researchers suggest this is typical of an ‘older heart.’
Ghita Housni, PhD student at Queen Mary’s William Harvey Research Institute and lead author of the study, said:
"We know cleaner air means healthier hearts, and this research lays bare the impact of air pollution on public health. Reducing exposure to air pollution is a crucial part of preventing heart conditions in the modern age. We need to improve air quality by introducing public health strategies which strongly prioritise cardiovascular protection."
When breathed in, PM2.5 particles can pass into the bloodstream. The body’s immune response to these foreign particles can cause inflammation in blood vessels, making them stiffer and more prone to fatty build-up. This increases blood pressure, raising stroke risk, while also forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood, which over time can lead to heart failure.
Although strokes were less common among participants, the research estimates that in the most polluted areas, one extra person in every 100 had a stroke, and two extra people in every 100 developed heart failure, compared to cleaner areas.
The study found no significant link between PM2.5 exposure and heart attacks.
Pollution levels in the UK have since declined and now meet Government targets introduced in 2021. However, experts note that these targets remain higher than World Health Organization guidelines, and risks persist for people exposed to higher levels of air pollution.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:
"We know there are no safe levels of air pollution. These early findings linking high PM2.5 levels to heart failure add to a growing body of evidence that poor air quality is damaging to our hearts. While pollution levels have improved, they still exceed World Health Organization guidelines. Going further to reduce air pollution could prevent cardiovascular disease and save lives for generations to come."
The research team now hopes to investigate how air pollution affects people already living with cardiovascular disease, who may be even more vulnerable.