In a new study, researchers find that even in areas with moderate-to-high traffic pollution, exercise still could reduce the risk of first and recurrent heart attack.
In the study, researchers in Denmark, Germany and Spain evaluated outdoor physical activity levels (sports, cycling, walking and gardening) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2 pollutant generated by traffic) exposure in 51,868 adults.
These people aged 50-65 and reported their physical activities and lifestyle habits against heart attack.
Over a 17.7-year period, there were 2,936 first heart attacks and 324 recurrent heart attacks.
To estimate average NO2 exposure, the researchers used national traffic pollution monitoring data for each participants’ address.
The team finds that higher levels of pollution were associated with more heart attacks, however, the risk was lower among those who were physically active.
Moderate cycling for four or more hours per week cuts risk for recurrent heart attack by 31%; and there was a 58% reduction when all four types of physical activity were combined, regardless of air quality.
Those who participated in sports had a 15% lower rate of initial heart attacks and there was a 9% risk reduction associated with cycling, regardless of air quality
Compared to participants with low residential NO2 exposure, those in higher risk areas had a 17% increase risk in first heart attack and 39% for recurrent heart attack.
The lead author Nadine Kubesch, Ph.D. suggest that previous studies have shown that exercise can reduce cardiovascular disease risk, but pollution can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The study shows that physical activity even during exposure to air pollution, in cities with levels similar to those in Copenhagen, can reduce the risk of heart attack.
The research supports existing evidence that even moderate levels of regular physical activity, such as active commuting, are sufficiently intense to get these health benefits.
The study is published in Journal of the American Heart Association.
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