London, July 18: People who continue with their regular physical activities may have reduced risk of first and recurrent heart attack even in the areas with moderate-to-high levels of traffic pollution, a new study suggests.

The findings suggests that higher levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) -- a pollutant generated by traffic -- were associated with more heart attacks, but the risk was lower among those who were physically active.

"Our study shows that physical activity even during exposure to air pollution, in cities with levels similar to those in Copenhagen, can reduce the risk of heart attack," said lead author Nadine Kubesch from the University of Copenhagen.

For the study, published in Journal of the American Heart Association, the researchers in Denmark, Germany and Spain evaluated outdoor physical activity levels (sports, cycling, walking and gardening) and NO2 exposure in 51,868 adults aged between 50-65 years.

The researchers also compared self-reported activities and lifestyle factors against heart attack and to estimate average NO2 exposure, they used national traffic pollution monitoring data for each participants' address.

They found that moderate cycling for four or more hours per week cut risk for recurrent heart attack by 31 per cent and there was a 58 per cent reduction when all four types of physical activity (together totalling four hours per week or more) were combined, regardless of air quality.

Those who participated in sports had a 15 per cent lower rate of initial heart attacks and there was a nine per cent risk reduction associated with cycling, the researchers said.

Compared to participants with low residential NO2 exposure, those in higher risk areas had a 17 per cent increase risk in first heart attack and 39 per cent for recurrent heart attack, they added.



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New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi on Saturday accepted the people's mandate in the assembly elections, calling it a "setback" but vowing to continue the party's struggle against the BJP.

The BJP was set to stage a comeback in Delhi after more than 26 years, sweeping AAP away from the national capital in another big win to extend its saffron footprint in the country.

"First of all, I thank the people of Delhi and our party workers who stood strong. We accept the mandate. The war against BJP's dictatorship and hooliganism will continue. This is a setback but AAP's fight for the people of Delhi and the country will go on," Atishi told reporters.

Expressing gratitude to her supporters, the AAP leader said, "I thank the people who trusted me. I also thank my team, which faced all challenges and took our message to the public. I have won my seat but this is not a time for celebration -- this is the time to fight. The battle against BJP's authoritarianism will continue."

The Election Commission is yet to declare the winner from the Kalkaji seat where she is pitted against BJP's Ramesh Vidhuri and Alka Lamba of the Congress.

Stating that AAP has always fought against injustice and will continue to do so, Atishi said, "Yes, this may be one step back, but AAP will keep fighting."