Car gadget could reduce risk of heart attack, says study (UK)

New research shows that fitting diesel-fuelled cars with a 'particle trap' gadget could reduce the risk of heart attacks in traffic-heavy areas. We already know that air pollution can trigger a heart attack. Recently an international study showed that air pollution was the 'most important' trigger of heart attacks in people with existing coronary heart disease. Diesel exhaust is thought to be more harmful to heart and blood vessel function than standard petrol exhaust, due to higher levels of dangerous tiny particles. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have demonstrated for the first time that these 'particle traps' can dramatically reduce the negative effects of diesel fumes on the heart and circulation. Dr Andrew Lucking from the University of Edinburgh, who led the research, said: "The trap we used dramatically reduced the harmful effects of exposure to diesel exhaust. Our results suggest that if all diesel powered vehicles had particle traps fitted, heart attacks could be avoided." - BHF