American Heart Month- The Environmental Health Connection

The American Heart Association designates February as American Heart Month.  During the month, much effort is spent on helping the public become aware of the importance of addressing lifestyle factors, like diet and exercise, keeping blood pressure within the optimal range, knowing the signs of heart attack, and being able to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).  All of these factors and more are important to avoid heart disease and support those who are affected.  Heart disease is the number one cause of death overall for men and women in the United States.

One rarely hears any mention of the role that environmental exposures play in causing or exacerbating heart disease.  Scientists have established that environmental factors increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.  For example, carbon monoxide and ultra-fine particles that result from combustion and the complex mixture of toxic chemicals present in tobacco smoke all have been associated with cardiovascular disease. Sodium, which is a very common ingredient in processed and prepared food, has been connected with elevated blood pressure.  Excessive refined sugar has been shown to be associated with heart disease risk.  Maternal exposure to certain substances in the environment can increase the risk of birth defects in children.

Other connections between heart health and the environment are present.  For example, we know that people prefer to be physically active in settings (i.e., environments) that are clean, well-lighted, safe, and have well-maintained amenities.   Regulation of the environment, coupled with good planning, help to provide places in communities that have healthy places like parks, trails, schools, and other community facilities.  Community blight, neglect, litter, deteriorated housing, and noise levels foster persistent stress among residents and contribute to greater cardiovascular risk.

Environmental Health Professionals can and do contribute to heart health is many ways.  They investigate and evaluate environmental contamination, air pollution, indoor environments, building hygiene, and food establishments and stores.  Environmental Health Professionals work with community members to identify problems, to improve conditions in neighborhoods by eliminating places with improperly disposed trash, to help to get stray animals controlled (who wants to go out and exercise with packs of stray dogs in the streets?), and to eliminate blight.  Environmental Health Professionals help community members improve overall environmental awareness.  They work with city planners to plan, design, and oversee the building of new amenities like parks and trails.  They work with employers to cut down on unnecessary vehicle use by encouraging walking, bicycling, and transit use, and help to ensure that the risks from injury are minimized.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a healthy heart program that emphasizes the connection between good environment and heart health.  EPA also provides the AirNow web page that forecasts local air pollution levels and lets community members know the when it is safer and healthier to be active outdoors.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also promotes the connection between healthy environment and improved heart health and overall well-being.

Public health approaches that address multiple sets of factors and target multiple levels or domains are the most likely to be successful. Public health professionals and community members should support comprehensive approaches that promote healthy lifestyle through awareness, education, public policy, and improvement of the environment.  Support the efforts to improve heart health and reduce the toll of heart and circulatory diseases throughout the Nation.  Good environment and heart health complement each other nicely!