Ask Dr. H: Air pollution can increase the risk of heart disease

Question: Last year, you answered my question about air pollution and its effects on the athletes competing at the Beijing Olympics. Can you comment on a news story I just heard on how air pollution right here at home can increase our risk of heart attacks?

Answer: The news story you heard is about a University of Michigan study just published in the Sept. 1 issue of Hypertension.

The deleterious effects of air pollution on our lungs are well-known; now, researchers have shown that the microscopic particles in air pollution can get into the bloodstream, causing a rise in diastolic (resting heart) blood pressure and an impairment of endothelial function (critical factors that help arteries to relax or dilate to allow maximal blood flow).

Roughly one-third of Americans have high blood pressure, a known risk factor for stroke, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. For those with underlying coronary artery or peripheral vascular disease, a blood pressure rise of just a few points could potentially trigger a heart attack or stroke - especially when combined with pollution-induced impairment of the endothelium (arterial wall lining).

By the way, ozone gases were not found to have a significant effect on either blood-pressure elevation or the endothelial lining of blood vessels.

Q: Generations in my family have suffered from cold sores (Type 1 herpes simplex virus). Years ago, my outbreaks were on my lips, but now they appear in one nostril. I am concerned that my cold sores are moving into my nose, as my aunt developed herpes encephalitis of the brain. Should I take any extra steps?

A: While herpes encephalitis is a very serious viral infection typically caused by the same herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores, it's a pretty rare condition. It affects only about 1 in 250,000 to 500,000 folks each year. Considering that 1 in 2 people have had cold sores, there's a pretty low risk that a cold sore outbreak will result in herpes encephalitis.

My recommendation would be to promptly treat each cold sore outbreak with antiviral medication like Famvir or Valtrex, and consider taking daily antiviral medication to suppress the number of infections if you're experiencing four or more outbreaks a year. I'd also be sure to get adequate sleep to keep your immune system healthy. Some folks also find that daily doses of the amino acid lysine help prevent cold sores.