February is American Heart Month, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That designation may not be cause for a large bouquet of flowers to be sent your way on Valentine’s Day, but some of the causes of heart disease are worth noting when considering our quality of life in Ada.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., according to CDC statistics. While we have all heard the medical reports that diet and exercise may help reduce the risk of heart disease, we don’t often hear about the impact that breathing our air has on our hearts.
The CDC has found that people who live in areas with air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels are at a greater risk for heart disease. When we breathe in small particles of pollution, the particles may have an effect on our hearts, lungs, and cardiovascular systems.
In our area, we can breathe a little easier. The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network is a network which tracks air pollution levels throughout the country. According to the network, the current air quality index in our area this week is 22, which the network has classified as “good.” You may access the network at http://airnow.gov/, to see updated air quality index numbers.
Quality of life is measured by different numbers throughout our community, but we all have to breathe the same air. This week, we should be able to breathe a little easier knowing the quality of the air we are breathing is “good.”
