Ozone exposure linked to hypoxia and arterial stiffness

Ozone (O₃) exposure may reduce the availability of oxygen in the body, resulting in arterial stiffening due to the body’s natural response to create more red blood cells and hemoglobin, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

“Researchers found that even brief exposure to elevated ozone levels reduced blood oxygen saturation, triggered hypoxia-related biomarkers, and increased arterial stiffness, highlighting the novel connection between ozone exposure and arterial stiffness, demonstrated through comprehensive biomarker analysis in a high-altitude setting,” said Dr. Harlan Krumholz, MD, SM, Editor-in-Chief of JACC.

“This study uniquely isolates ozone’s effects from other pollutants, providing a critical step forward in understanding its independent role in cardiovascular injury.”

Ozone pollution is becoming a worldwide health issue. Recent studies have linked O₃ exposure with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including ischemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and atherosclerosis. Hypoxia, or the deficiency of oxygen in the body, is recognized as a pivotal factor in O₃-associated CVDs.

Ozone (O₃) exposure may reduce the availability of oxygen in the body, resulting in arterial stiffening due to the body’s natural response to create more red blood cells and hemoglobin, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

“Researchers found that even brief exposure to elevated ozone levels reduced blood oxygen saturation, triggered hypoxia-related biomarkers, and increased arterial stiffness, highlighting the novel connection between ozone exposure and arterial stiffness, demonstrated through comprehensive biomarker analysis in a high-altitude setting,” said Dr. Harlan Krumholz, MD, SM, Editor-in-Chief of JACC.

“This study uniquely isolates ozone’s effects from other pollutants, providing a critical step forward in understanding its independent role in cardiovascular injury.”

Ozone pollution is becoming a worldwide health issue. Recent studies have linked O₃ exposure with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including ischemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and atherosclerosis. Hypoxia, or the deficiency of oxygen in the body, is recognized as a pivotal factor in O₃-associated CVDs.