Delhi’s toxic air not only stings the eyes or irritates the throat, but strains the heart as well. In fact, even a short-term exposure can trigger acute events such as heart attacks, says Dr Mukesh Goel, Senior Consultant, Cardiothoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Lung Transplant Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. No wonder that “hospital admissions for cardiac emergencies surge during periods of poor air quality,” he adds.
But how exactly does air pollution at Delhi NCR levels harm the heart? How does it affect children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing cardiac conditions, and what can people do to protect themselves? THE WEEK spoke to Dr Goel to find out.
#WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from the Ghazipur area this morning as a layer of toxic smog blankets the city. AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 369, categorised as 'Very Poor', as claimed by CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). pic.twitter.com/HlyiyHD0qg
— ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2025
Edited excerpts:
Q: How does air pollution, at the level being seen in Delhi, affect the heart?
A: It dramatically increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It occurs due to high concentrations of fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5 and PM10, as well as toxic gases like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
This exposure causes inflammation in the blood vessels, along with a rise in blood pressure, increased blood viscosity, and reduced oxygen delivery to heart tissues. This raises the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac events.
When it comes to pre-existing heart conditions, these pollutants aggravate them and accelerate plaque formation in arteries, and worsen overall cardiac health.
Q: What are the short-term and long-term impacts of air pollution on heart health?
A: Any exposure to dense pollution, even on a short-term basis, can trigger acute events such as heart attacks, arrhythmias, and spikes in blood pressure, especially in vulnerable groups.
In the long term, it accelerates atherosclerosis, which is the hardening and blockage of arteries, increases coronary artery calcium, and is also strongly linked to higher rates of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and even cardiac mortality.
At the same time, the chronic inhalation of such poor air also hampers the anti-inflammatory capacity of the blood and even reduces life expectancy due to progressive heart disease.
Q: How does it affect the vulnerable groups, such as babies and the elderly?
A: It is true that all of them face disproportionately higher risks. Babies and children have developing organs, making them highly sensitive to toxic air, leading to reduced cardiac and lung function.
At the same time, the elderly often have weakened immunity and pre-existing health issues, rendering them susceptible to arrhythmias, strokes, or heart attacks.
Elderly individuals often have weaker immunity and pre-existing conditions, rendering them susceptible to arrhythmias, heart attacks, or strokes.
Q: Can high levels of air pollution during pregnancy affect a baby’s heart health?
A: Yes, exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is strongly linked to adverse effects on fetal heart development. It’s because pollutants like PM2.5 and nitrogen oxides can cause oxidative stress and inflammation, disrupt placental and fetal circulation, increase hypertension and diabetes in mothers, and directly affect fetal cardiac growth. Such exposures raise risks of preterm birth, congenital heart defects, and predispose babies to lifelong cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
Q: Are there any symptoms or warning signs one must watch out for?
A: Yes, these include chest pain or discomfort, sudden shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, unusual fatigue, swelling in legs or ankles, and fainting spells. The thing is, these signs may mimic general tiredness, but shouldn’t be ignored.
One should seek immediate medical attention if symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by chest pressure.
Q: What should one do to protect heart health, both indoors and outdoors?
A: First and foremost, one should limit outdoor activity during peak pollution periods, wear N95 masks, use air purifiers indoors, and monitor air quality indexes regularly.
Along with that, keep the windows closed, ventilate homes with filtered air, and avoid exposure to traffic fumes and industrial areas are crucial.
One should also eat antioxidant-rich foods, maintain blood pressure and adhere to prescribed medications to further protect the cardiovascular system.
Q: What would you advise about exercise during periods of poor air quality? Should people avoid outdoor workouts altogether?
A: It’s advisable to avoid outdoor physical activities entirely during high pollution periods. It’s because strenuous exercise increases inhalation of particulate matter, which intensifies heart strain and raises the risk of acute cardiac events. Opting for indoor workouts in well-ventilated, filtered environments helps reduce pollutant exposure. Individuals with heart disease or other vulnerabilities should restrict outdoor exertion and switch to low-intensity indoor exercise until air quality improves.
Q: How does the heart health of a person living in Delhi differ from that of someone in lesser or non-polluted areas?
A: There’s surely a lot of difference. Delhiites show higher rates of hypertension, accelerated atherosclerosis, increased cardiac event frequency, and reduced life expectancy. Rural or less polluted environments report a lower prevalence of these issues. The sustained toxic air leads to early onset of cardiovascular illnesses, more frequent hospitalisations, and a heavier burden of chronic heart disease, putting Delhi residents at a systemic disadvantage.
