News

Karolinska University Hospital study links air pollution to heart risks

Karolinska University Hospital study links air pollution to heart risks

Air pollution is the fourth largest risk factor for premature death. New research from the renowned Swedish Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) suggests that even very low levels of air pollution may be associated with an increased risk. This holds true not only for larger cities but also for smaller towns.

Reducing air pollution levels

The results stem from a dissertation at the Karolinska Institute, where Marcus Dahlquist studied the environmental impact on the risk of heart disorders. Petter Ljungman, a researcher at IMM, senior physician at Danderyd Hospital, and supervisor to Dahlquist, emphasizes the need for stricter legislation.

"To reduce levels of air pollution, effective legislation is needed. Even though particle levels in Swedish outdoor air are far below the EU's limit value, we now see risks in both Swedish cities and the countryside. Our research shows that current limit values need to be tightened to protect against the risk of cardiac arrest, which is an important message as the EU now negotiates a new air quality directive that will become statutory for all EU countries."

Research methodology

In this study, data from 30,000 cardiac arrests from all over Sweden were combined with air quality data. The results indicate that the risk of suffering a cardiac arrest increases with higher air pollution.

Study conclusion

Exposure to air pollution can have several negative health effects. Besides impacting the heart in the form of heart attacks, heart failure, and arrhythmias, it can also increase the risk of dementia, COPD, and asthma. Petter Ljungman's unit has previously demonstrated that pollutants also affect the development of lung function in children in Stockholm.

You might like

KN95 certified
Storm Black disable_lazyload anti pollution mask n95 pollution mask carbon filter mask

Air Mask Active

Storm Black

$149
KN95 certified
-21%
Quartz Grey disable_lazyload best pollution mask face mask breathing best air mask Onyx Black disable_lazyload best pollution mask face mask breathing best air mask filter mask face filter

Urban Air Mask

3 colors

$79 $63
KN95 certified
-40%
Misty Grey disable_lazyload anti pollution mask n95 pollution mask carbon filter mask

1st generation Lite Mask Last chance

Lite Air Mask

10 colors

$45 $27
KN95 & FFP2 certified
disable_lazyload

2nd generation Lite Mask

Air Mask Lite

5 colors

$49
KN95 certified
Urban Filter Mask – 3 pack

Urban Filter Mask – 3 pack

1 color

$29
Collaboration
Airinum X Alan Walker - White Edition

Airinum X Alan Walker - White Edition

1 color

$99
Collaboration
Urban Air Mask Alan Walker

Urban Air Mask Alan Walker

3 colors

$79
Collaboration
Urban Filter Mask Alan Walker – 3 pack

Urban Filter Mask Alan Walker – 3 pack

3 colors

$29
Collaboration
Air Mask Lite NemeN

Air Mask Lite NemeN

1 color

$59
KN95 certified
-31%
The Urban Bundle

The Urban Bundle

3 colors

$137 $95
KN95 certified
-31%
The Lite Bundle

1st generation Lite Mask Last chance

The Lite Bundle

10 colors

$99 $69
KN95 certified
-31%
The Travel Bundle

The Travel Bundle

3 colors

$147 $102