Heart failure patients show increased inflammation from air pollution, study finds

A recent study shows that heart failure patients are more susceptible to inflammation caused by air pollution. Researchers found that exposure to pollutants increased levels of two inflammation biomarkers in these patients, while those without heart disease showed no such changes. The study involved 44 heart failure patients and 35 healthy individuals. Blood samples were taken during low and high air pollution days, particularly during wildfires and cold weather. The findings suggest that heart failure patients struggle to adapt to environmental changes. The research was presented at the American Heart Association’s 2024 conference. Heart failure affects over 64 million people globally, with ischemic heart disease being the most common cause.