How Indoor Air Quality Can Affect Your Heart Health

Posted on February 1st, 2017 by Devine Bros

Today is February 1st, which marks the start of American Heart Month. Sponsored by the American Heart Association, this month is dedicated to cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women, but steps can be taken to reduce your risk.

While obvious factors such as diet and exercise can impact your heart health, today we will be focusing on a more subtle, but just as significant, influencer – indoor air quality.

What is indoor air quality?

Indoor air quality refers to the quality of air within buildings and structures, as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. While it is often overlooked, indoor air can be up to ten times more polluted than the air outside.

How does indoor air quality affect heart health?

Indoor air quality has been linked to an abundance of side effects, both short- and long-term. Short-term exposure to indoor air pollution can induce allergic-like reactions, including sneezing, coughing, runny nose, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. If you already suffer from heart problems, short-term exposure has been known to trigger heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmias.

The long-term health effects can be even more debilitating, or even fatal. Indoor air pollution has been linked to respiratory disease, certain forms of cancer, and even cardiovascular disease. Pollution is believed to have inflammatory effects on the heart, which can lead to problems such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and heart failure.

How can I improve my indoor air quality?

Luckily, there are many ways to improve the air quality in your home. Some of them include:

• Investing in a HEPA air filtration system

• Adding houseplants such as the snake plant, peace lily, and english ivy.

• Not smoking inside your home (or ever).

• Using homemade, all natural cleaning products.

• Avoid using aerosol air fresheners or burning candles.

• Improving the natural ventilation in the home.

• Dust and vacuuming your home regularly.

• Use low-VOC paints and adhesives.

How is the air quality in your home? Find out with a free consultation from the experts at Devine Bros. If you live in Norwalk, Westport, New Canaan, or the surrounding Fairfield County area, give us a call at (203) 866-4421.