Air Pollution Linked to Increased Risk of Arrhythmia: Comprehensive Study in China

According to a comprehensive study of 322 Chinese cities published in CMAJ, acute exposure to air pollution is linked to an increased risk of arrhythmia, which can progress to more serious heart disease. The study evaluated hourly exposure to air pollution and the sudden onset of symptoms of arrhythmia using data from 2025 hospitals in 322 Chinese cities. The authors note that the association was immediate and underscores the need to protect at-risk people during heavy air pollution. The findings highlight the importance of reducing exposure to air pollution and prompt protection of susceptible populations worldwide. The study’s results indicate that air pollution is a modifiable risk factor for heart disease, making the evidence linking it with arrhythmia significant.