Can exercise cut down the risk of heart attacks in highly polluted areas?

According to the University of Copenhagen in Denmark study, exercise can reduce the risk of heart attack, even in areas with moderate-to-high levels of traffic pollution. Researchers in Denmark, Germany, and Spain evaluated outdoor physical activity levels like sports, cycling, walking and gardening and nitrogen dioxide exposure in 51,868 adults.


The results of the study showed that higher levels of pollution were associated with more heart attacks; however, the risk was lower among those who were physically active.


Nadine Kubesch said, “While exercise is known to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, pollution can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, asthma, and chronic obstructive lung disease. Currently, there is little data on whether poor air quality cancels out the protective benefits of physical activity in preventing heart attacks.”


Dr. K K Aggarwal suggests, “The best time to exercise is when the air pollution levels are the lowest.”


The researchers said, “Moderate cycling for four or more hours per week cut risk for recurrent heart attack by 31%; and there was a 58% reduction when all four types of physical activity (together totalling four hours per week or more) were combined, regardless of air quality. Those who participated in sports had a 15 percent lower rate of initial heart attacks and there was a 9 percent risk reduction associated with cycling, regardless of air quality.”