According to a new study polluted air contains microscopic particles that may have a negative impact on the human heart. Electrical signals that are conducted by the heart may get disrupted by certain particles present in polluted air.

The study conducted on 48 Boston patients suffering from coronary artery disease by researchers at the Harvard University has revealed that lungs are not the only organ that gets affected by air pollution, the heart is equally venerable.

The electrocardiograms of the participants were monitored by using the 24 hour holter monitors. ST segment depression also known as the heart’s conductivity changes were examined. ST segment depression is an indicator for inflamed heart muscles or low blood flow to the heart.

For the experiment the patients were administered air with average levels of all pollutants way below the accepted levels.  In general the patients were actually breathing healthy air. The polluted air usually found in traffic jams, contains much high pollutant levels.

A particular pollutant with increased levels called the PM 2.5 and black carbon, normally found in heavy vehicular traffic exhaust along with sulphur dioxide were the main culprit causing ST segment depression. This in turn may damage the heart, and especially increases the risk to heart attack patients.

The study found that the hearts ability to conduct electrical signals crippled because of certain pollutants in the air, especially found in traffic jams. The changes in ST segment depression on electrocardiograms are higher in heart patients that normal health patients.

The detailed study can be found in the Journal of American heart Association.