While the exact impact of air pollution is not clear, some evidence suggests that it causes oxidative stress and inflammation, which can consequently affect the heart’s electrical activity.
Dr Chen added: “Some evidence has indicated that air pollution alters cardiac electrophysiological activities by inducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, affecting membrane channels as well as impairing autonomic nervous function.
“Although the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, the association between air pollution and acute onset of arrhythmia that we observed is biologically plausible.
“Our study highlights the importance of reducing exposure to air pollution.”
