"Dirty Air Triggers More Heart Attacks Than Cocaine"

"Air pollution triggers more heart attacks than using cocaine and poses as high a risk of sparking a heart attack as alcohol, coffee and physical exertion, scientists said on Thursday.

Sex, anger, marijuana use and chest or respiratory infections and can also trigger heart attacks to different extents, the researchers said, but air pollution, particularly in heavy traffic, is the major culprit.

The findings, published in The Lancet journal, suggest population-wide factors like polluted air should be taken more seriously when looking at heart risks, and should be put into context beside higher but relatively rarer risks like drug use."

Kate Kelland reports for Reuters February 24, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Sitting in Your Car Worse for Heart Than Drink Or Overeating" (Scotsman)

"Why Cycling To Work Is One of the Biggest Causes of Heart Attacks" (London Daily Mail)