Wildfire Smoke Raises Cardiac Arrest Risk 70% as New York Extends Statewide Air Advisories
Updated
Updated · CNYcentral.com · Jul 16
Wildfire Smoke Raises Cardiac Arrest Risk 70% as New York Extends Statewide Air Advisories
3 articles · Updated · CNYcentral.com · Jul 16
Summary
New York kept an air-quality health advisory in place through Wednesday and Thursday as Canadian wildfire smoke again blanketed the state, with forecasters expecting haze to linger into Friday.
Tiny smoke particles can pass from the lungs into the bloodstream, and cardiologists say that exposure can trigger heart attacks, strokes and cardiac arrest—not just coughing and eye irritation.
AHA-cited studies found heart attack visits rose 42% within a day of heavy smoke, ischemic heart disease visits climbed 22%, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest risk increased by as much as 70%.
Children, older adults and people with heart or lung disease were urged to avoid strenuous outdoor activity, stay indoors with filtered air, and seek cooler shelter if homes become too hot.