Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
"A-Fib.com is a great web site for patients, that is unequaled by anything else out there."
Dr. Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
"Jill and I put you and your work in our prayers every night. What you do to help people through this [A-Fib] process is really incredible."
Jill and Steve Douglas, East Troy, WI
“I really appreciate all the information on your website as it allows me to be a better informed patient and to know what questions to ask my EP.
Faye Spencer, Boise, ID, April 2017
“I think your site has helped a lot of patients.”Dr. Hugh G. Calkins, MD Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore, MD
Air Quality, Pollution and Atrial Fibrillation: Is There a Link?
Millions of people live in areas where air pollution can cause serious health problems. Local air quality can affect our daily lives. Like the weather, it can change from day to day.
Researchers wanted to know if there’s a role of traffic & non-traffic air emissions in triggering cardiovascular (CV) hospitalizations.
They tested levels of air pollution (i.e. particulate matter, PM) in multiple urban areas of New York State, then the next day correlated this data with hospitalizations for arrhythmia.
Research Findings: This research revealed that higher pollution levels lead to:
• more than doubled hospitalization for A-Fib;
• nearly quadrupled hospitalizations for stroke.
This is a wake-up call for anyone with Atrial Fibrillation who lives in an urban setting.
Air quality is a measure of the solid particles and liquid droplets found in outdoor air. These pollutants (particulate matter) are emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles.
How Can I Reduce My Exposure to Air Pollution? You can use air quality alerts to protect yourself and others when particulate matter (PM) reaches harmful levels.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) tells you how clean or polluted your outdoor air is, along with associated health effects that may be of concern. Learn how you can get AQI notifications sent to you.
Check the Air Quality Data Where You Live: There’s a nifty little app to check your area’s air quality rating for today. Just enter your city name (it displays the best matches to select from) or enter your zip code.
The AQI “dial” will appear with your location’s information. See graphic example (right). To check your area’s air quality, go to AirNow (https://www.airnow.gov/)
Bottom Line if You Have A-Fib: Be aware of the air quality where you live. Protect yourself. Stay informed. (Many news channels report the AQI each day.)
If you have an inkling that your air quality might be low that day, go online and check the Air Quality Index for your locale. If it’s low, stay indoors. Curtail or postpone outdoor activities. If you must go out, use your car’s air conditioner.
