News Release

Acute exposure to higher ozone levels linked to higher risk of cardiac arrest

American Heart Association Resuscitation Science Symposium 2020 - Presentation 119

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Heart Association

Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020

DALLAS, Nov. 9, 2020 -- Exposure to higher ozone concentrations in the air is significantly associated with a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2020. The virtual meeting is November 14-16, 2020 and will feature the most recent advances related to treating cardiopulmonary arrest and life-threatening traumatic injury.

Previous studies have shown acute exposure to ozone and particulate matter in the air is associated with the development of chronic diseases. A 2010 scientific statement from the American Heart Association deemed ambient air pollutants a "modifiable factor that contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality."

"Air pollutants have been associated with increased mortality in the U.S., however, it is unknown whether ozone and particulate matter in the air on any given day are associated with a higher risk of an individual experiencing cardiac arrest outside of the hospital," said Ali Malik, M.D., M.Sc., a clinical cardiology and cardiovascular outcomes research fellow at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Gladstone, Missouri, and lead author of the study.

Researchers used data from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival to examine if higher concentrations of ozone and particulate matter were associated with incidents of cardiac arrest. This study included 187,000 individuals with non-traumatic OHCA during 2013-2016. Participants were age 63 years on average, 61% were men and 53% were non-white. Individual exposures to particulate matter and ozone were estimated using data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's atmospheric models that predict daily ozone levels by census tract.

The results of the analysis found that for every 12 parts per billion (ppb) increase in the ozone level, the odds of a OHCA increased by 1%, which is statistically significant. However, there was no association between particulate matter concentration and OHCA, and no difference in risk for air-quality-related OHCA tied to age, sex or race.

"We found that a higher concentration of ozone on the day the out of hospital cardiac arrest occurred was significantly associated with a higher risk," Malik said. "Importantly, we found that the relationship between ozone and risk of OHCA was present even at concentrations below the EPA air quality standard. These findings may have important public health implications."

Malik added, "Mechanisms by which acute ozone exposure increases the risk of cardiac arrest need to be better defined. It is important to limit exposure to high ozone levels, and we need more aggressive measures to decrease ambient air ozone concentrations."

Malik noted that this is an observational study and exposure to air pollutants was derived from outdoor estimates. Further study is needed to determine the exact relationship between air pollution and cardiac arrest.

###

Co-authors are Philip Jones, M.S.; Robert Brook, M.D.; Andy T. Tran, D.O., and Paul S. Chan, M.D., M.Sc. Author disclosures are in the abstract.

This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Presentation: AOS.02c Lightning Round Oral Abstract Presentations: Pharmacologic Interventions During Cardiac Arrest.

Additional Resources:

Multimedia may be downloaded from the right column of the release
https://newsroom.heart.org/news/acute-exposure-to-higher-ozone-levels-linked-to-higher-risk-of-cardiac-arrest?preview=d54881f652dba2855f5cbe59e7a052a0

Pollution exposure at work may be associated with heart abnormalities among Latinx community
Air Pollution and Heart Disease, Stroke

For more news at AHA Resuscitation Science Symposium 2020, follow us on Twitter @HeartNews
#ReSS20

Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association's scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers are available here, and the Association's overall financial information is available here.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies, and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.