Exposure to diesel pollution may damage your heart

People exposed to particulate matter (PM) emitted mainly from diesel used in vehicles may be at greater risk of developing heart attack, heart failure and death, researchers warned. The findings showed that exposure to PM 2.5 from diesel can lead to systemic inflammation, vasoconstriction — rrowing of blood vessels, and raised blood pressure, all of which can cause harmful changes to the structure and function of heart. The combition of these factors can also increase the pressure in the heart, which enlarges to cope with the overload.  Every 5 per cubic metre air or µg/m3 increase in exposure was associated with a 4-8 per cent increase in left ventricular volume (structure) and a 2 per cent decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (function), the researchers said. (IANS)