A recent study of 322 Chinese cities found that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. This is significant as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, which are common arrhythmia conditions, affect an estimated 59.7 million people globally and can progress to more serious heart disease. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was found to have the strongest association with all four types of arrhythmias, emphasizing the importance of reducing exposure to air pollution. The study highlights the need to protect at-risk people during heavy air pollution and prompt action to reduce air pollution worldwide.
