Study links inversion to damaging inflammation

SALT LAKE CITY — People with heart disease are doubly impacted by the health effects of an inversion, causing major inflammation, according to new research from Intermountain Health. 

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Along with causing respiratory issues including coughing and runny nose, Intermountain said people with heart disease, during inversion, can experience damaging inflammation throughout their bodies.

And it’s a strong correlation. A group of patients tested by Intermountain that did not have heart disease showed none of the inflammatory markers seen in the bloodwork of study participants with heart disease.

While the study results are preliminary, lead researcher Dr. Benjamin Horne, said people with heart disease should stay indoors on bad air quality days.

“As you’re exercising you breath faster,” Horne said, “so you’ll take in substantially more air, up to ten times as much air if you’re doing aerobic exercise.”

Horne said people with heart disease should go one step further and consider buying a high efficiency air filter for their homes. 

And similar to those with respiratory issues, Horne advised people with heart disease to avoid exercising outdoors during Utah’s inversion season. 

“People should potentially stay indoors, not spend much time outside where the air is more polluted,” he said.

If outdoor exercise is a must, Horne advised people to head to higher elevations where the air is clearer.

Other related reading:

• Air quality across the state has mostly improved
• How Utah schools keep kids safe during inversion season
• How Utah’s wildfires and winter inversion impact heart health