When one thinks of the common risk factors for
developing heart disease, they think of age, gender, and many of the other risk
factors stated above. However, environmental exposure plays a significant role
in heart disease, both leading up to and while having heart disease. Both the
heart and the vascular system are susceptible to many toxic agents found in the
environment. These agents can include, but are not limited to, air pollution,
arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Other things that pollute the air, such as smoking,
play a key role in the development of heart disease as well. Exposure to agents
such as these can “initiate” the start of the progression of heart disease or
enhance the effects in those already diagnosed (Cesselman et. al, 2015).
Environmental factors do not just play a role in the
development of heart disease. They are also significant in stroke and arterial
disease as well. Metals, such as arsenic, that are found in polluted air have a
detrimental effect on the blood vessels. Metals tend to damage the endothelial
walls of the vessels. This, in turn, can cause scarring and may thicken the
vessels, as seen in atherosclerosis. When vessels are thickened, less blood
flow is occurring, which can lead to many problems including increased blood
pressure and clogged vessels.
In
a study done by the American Heart Association, various factors were investigated
in 2 groups. It was found that the incidence of heart disease was much higher
in the urban and upper socioeconomic classes (Krishna, 1960). This can be, as
stated above, due to the increased pollution of environmental air in urban
areas.
risk in developing heart disease by causes arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arterial walls, and
atherosclerosis, or plaque formation in the arterial walls. A consideration for patients who live in
urban or heavily polluted areas would be to modify their hypertension factors, including
medications, diet, exercise, and having a diet low in sodium and fats.
Another
environmental risk factor in developing heart disease is one’s diet. As stated
before, there is a higher incidence of CAD in urban or low economic areas. In
areas such as these, proper nutrition can be difficult to come across,
especially in low economic communities. The population will be eating unhealthy
meals that contain numerous saturated fats, carbohydrates, and excessive
sodium. In combination with other risk factors, this can increase the fatty
plaque formation in the arterial walls and cause occlusion, leading to higher
incidences of heart disease. Diet is one of the number one modifiable risk
factors, however, and should be taken into consideration in the populations
stated above. Access to healthy meals, such as local food banks, would be an
excellent resource for patients experiencing these difficulties.
Exposure
to secondhand smoke can be just as deadly to an individual as smoking the
cigarette themselves. Smoking causes vasoconstriction in the body, which
narrows the blood vessels. This decreases blood flow to the heart. Smoking also
causes an increase in fatty plaque build-up. These two body mechanisms increase
the risk for developing heart disease, as stated before. In areas of high
pollution, it can be difficult to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Something
that those at risk for heart disease can do would be to wear masks out in
public. The mask can filter the air that the body is breathing and provide a
more pure air to breathe. It is very important to note your family history of
heart disease when choosing your location to live and work.
It
is important to be able to modify this risk to a patient’s best ability. If
there is a strong like to heart disease in the family, a patient should consider
living in a pollution-free environment or rural area. Although it can be
inconvenient at times, it is better to slow or prevent the progression of a
deadly disease than to stack risk factors on top of one another until the
disease is no longer in control.
