African dust is dangerous for heart patients

In the case of the recent wave African dust It has choked parts of the country, but it is expected to return with less intensity from tomorrow, Sunday. Hellenic Cardiology Society In one report, exposure to desert dust particles poses a risk to human health, perhaps similar to air pollution. Its chairman, professor of cardiology, said George Kochiatakis“Epidemiological studies show that both cardiovascular mortality and morbidity are increased during African dust storms.

The researchers They argue that hospital visits for cardiovascular disease increased during dust episodes (26%), while admissions for ischemic heart disease were 16% to 21% higher on sandstorm days than on other days. From the perspective of pathophysiology, dust particles inhaled into the pulmonary alveoli, Mr. Kochiatakis explains, “It reacts chemically with the fluids and tissues of the human body and then enters the circulation.

Its concentrated particles Dust storm Causes an increase in heart rate and mean arterial pressure and a decrease in cardiac contractility. At the cardiovascular level, vasoconstriction and increased blood pressure are caused by the release of inflammatory mediators and prothrombotic factors into the circulation, along with a systemic inflammatory process. According to scientists, all these changes lead to an increase in emergency cardiac events 4-5 days after the increase in the concentration of African dust particles.