Air pollution is linked to increased risk of developing an irregular heartbeat and blood clots in the lung, research suggests.
研究发现，空气污染会使人患心率不齐与肺血栓的危险增大。
The impact of air pollution on the risk of heart attack and stroke is less clear, say UK experts.
Analysis of data from England and Wales shows air pollution is particularly harmful in the elderly.
Further research is needed on pollution and cardiovascular（心血管的） health, says the British Heart Foundation.
A team at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine analysed data collected in England and Wales between 2003 and 2009 on links between cardiovascular problems and short-term air pollution.
They found short-term air pollution was linked to arrhythmia（心率不齐） (abnormal heart rhythm) and blood clots in the lung.
The strongest link was in the over-75s and in women, lead researcher Dr Ai Milojevic told BBC News.
"Our study found some evidence of air pollution effects on irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) but no clear evidence on heart attack (Myocardial Infarction) and stroke which represents ultimately blood clotting process[es]," she said.
"Elderly people and hospital patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease or irregular heart beat are observed to be at particular risk."
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