WEARING A FACEMASK TO LIMIT AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE AND IMPROVES HEART RATE VARIABILITY DURING EXERCISE

 

New Data Suggests That Simple Intervention Could Reduce The Incidence Of Cardiovascular Events In Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

BEIJING, 18 JUNE 2010.  Wearing a facemask during exercise to limit exposure to outdoor air pollution reduces symptoms and is associated with objective improvements in myocardial ischemia*, blood pressure and heart rate variability✝ in people with coronary heart disease (CHD), according to new data presented at the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) Scientific Sessions in Beijing, China today.

Results from an open-label randomized, crossover trial conducted in 98 CHD patients in Beijing demonstrated that the facemask intervention reduced general symptoms, perceived effort of work and perception of pollution for all study participants.  Moreover, when participants wore a facemask mean arterial blood pressure was lower and heart rate variability was increased during the exercise period, while maximal ST segment depression was reduced throughout the 24-hour study period. 

“Particulate air pollution is a major public health concern and is associated with cardiovascular disease,” said Jeremy Langrish, Clinical Research Fellow, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh.  “In this study we investigated the effects of reducing exposure to particulate air pollution in patients with CHD. We found that wearing a simple but highly efficient facemask can improve cardiovascular health.  Reducing exposure to particulate air pollution may prevent cardiovascular events in patients with heart disease living in industrialized or urban environments.”

This British Heart Foundation supported clinical trial involved 98 CHD patients from the Cardiovascular Institute & Fuwai Hospital (Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences) who were asked to walk on a pre-defined city centre route in central Beijing for two-hours.  Personal exposure to air pollution and exercise was assessed continuously using portable monitors and GPS tracking respectively, whilst continuous 12-lead ECGs were recorded using a Holter Monitor and symptoms were assessed using a simple questionnaire.

About the World Congress of Cardiology
The World Congress of Cardiology Scientific Sessions is the official congress of the World Heart Federation and is held every two years. Through the Congress the World Heart Federation offers an international stage for the latest developments in science and public outreach in the field of cardiovascular health. The World Congress of Cardiology places emphasis on the complementary nature of science and public outreach and strives to spread the message that through individual, community and patient-care interventions, the growing epidemic of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented.  www.worldcardiocongress.org

About the World Heart Federation
The World Heart Federation is dedicated to leading the global fight against heart disease and stroke with a focus on low- and middle-income countries via a united community of more than 200 member organizations. With its members, the World Heart Federation works to build global commitment to addressing cardiovascular health at the policy level, generates and exchanges ideas, shares best practice, advances scientific knowledge and promotes knowledge transfer to tackle cardiovascular disease – the world’s number one killer. It is a growing membership organization that brings together the strength of medical societies and heart foundations from more than 100 countries. Through our collective efforts we can help people all over the world to lead longer and better heart-healthy lives. For more information, please visit www.worldheart.org

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