Traffic may be hazardous to heart

March 13, 2009 New research from Germany finds exposure to traffic may help trigger heart attacks in people already at risk.

Some 1,400 patients were interviewed to find out what they were during just before their symptoms. Patients were 3 times more likely to have been driving a car, riding public transportation or riding a bike near traffic within an hour of their heart attack.

The connection between traffic and heart problems isn't clear. Researchers suspect a combination of stress and increased pollution may be to blame.

This study was presented at an American Heart Association meeting.

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