(September 12, 2007 - Insidermedicine) Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that people who have had a heart attack in the past can develop further heart trouble when exposed even briefly to air polluted with small levels of diesel exhaust.

While it has been known for some time that breathing air polluted with traffic exhaust is bad for the lungs, there is emerging evidence that it is also bad for the heart.

If you have had a heart attack in the past, here are some important thigs to remember:
·    A heart healthy diet which is low in saturated fat and cholesterol should be adopted.
·    Lifestyle changes like stopping smoking, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar may prevent ongoing heart problems.
·    Medicines like aspirin, statins and beta-blockers may help prevent another heart attack.

In the study, 20 men who had a heart attack in the past exercised in a room that contained unpolluted air or air containing diesel exhaust. The researchers were interested in how the heart responded in there two scenarios.

The results showed that the heart rates increased during exercise regardless of the air quality. But, when polluted air was present, the participants' hearts showed changes suggesting that the blood flow to the heart was becoming compromised. The effect of the polluted air still present six hours later.

The study shows that polluted air is not only bad for the lungs, but also can affect the heart. Care should be taken in those which a known heart attack, who are engaged in an exercise program that involves outdoor activities. The study did not address the issue if repeated outdoor exercise increases the risk for developing a first-time heart attack.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.