A study of more than 65,000 women aged 50 to 79 concludes that women who live in areas with high levels of air pollution run a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The women lived in 36 cities across the US and were followed for 9 years to see who would have a heart attack or stroke, require coronary bypass surgery or die from cardiovascular causes. Those living in the areas with the highest pollution were much more likely to have cardiovascular disease of some type.

The researchers link the amount of fine dust and soot particles in the air to the risk of heart disease. They are not sure of the mechanism but theorize that breathing in these particles, which can carry pollutant gases into the lungs, may cause hardening of the arteries, a precursor of heart disease.

The University of Washington study is published in the Feb 1 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Women In Polluted Areas At Higher Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease