Wood stoves may increase heart attack risk
Published 9:11 am Friday, April 14, 2017
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The study — A study published in the March issue of the journal Epidemiology found the risk of heart attacks among the elderly living in small cities may be higher due to air pollution from wood-burning stoves.
By the numbers — Researchers from McGill University and Health Canada compared pollution data from three smaller cities in British Columbia with hospital admission rates. They found that during the winter, when pollution from wood stoves is at its highest, the risk of heart attacks among those 65 years and older increased by 19 percent. Previous studies have found that air pollution in big cities can lead to heart and lung problems.
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Bottom line — Because researchers couldn’t control who was exposed to wood stove pollution, it’s difficult to conclude a causal relationship. But the study raises concern, particularly because of the correlation between wood particles in the air and heart attacks. “We noticed that the association was stronger when more of the air pollution came from wood burning, said Scott Weichenthal, a McGill University professor and lead author of the study. “This suggests that the source of pollution matters and that all particulate air pollution is perhaps not equally harmful when it comes to cardiovascular disease.”
— Markian Hawryluk