What Is “Greenness”? This factor—which generally refers to the proximity to vegetation, as measured by satellite pictures—could serve as a new protection against cardiovascular disease.
During five years (the total research time), this study compared individuals who lived in the lowest tercile of “greenness” with those who lived in the highest tercile (i.e., those who lived closer to nature).
Living in open spaces decreased the probability of acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, or stroke by 16% (p < 0.001).
Those who lived in greener areas but still suffered from cardiovascular disease had a protective factor, presenting far fewer subsequent events than their urban peers.
During the study period, the City of Miami promoted a very ambitious program for planting trees and developing green spaces.
This allowed many people initially classified in the lowest tercile in 2011 to move to the middle or even the highest tercile by 2016.
These changes resulted in a 15-% decrease in new diagnoses of cardiovascular disease compared with subjects who remained in the lowest tercile (p < 0.001).
Although this association seems quite evident, how green spaces directly impact the development of cardiovascular disease is still unclear. While obvious data such as air quality, water, lifestyle, diet, classic risk factors, exercise, stress, or access to healthcare centers were adjusted for, others, such as socioeconomic factors, could not be taken into account.
Read also: ESC 2021 | Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction.
The concept could be incorporated into patient education on healthy eating and regular exercise—ideally in nature, if possible.
If areas with sufficient nature or any type of open space do not exist in the neighborhood, the issue should be raised as a health concern before politicians, so that all people have equal access to these types of environments.
Original Title: Longitudinal impact of greenness on cardiovascular disease conditions.
Reference. Aitken W, presentado durante el congreso de la ESC en agosto 2021.
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