Heart attacks and high blood pressure are on the rise in Africa—what does air pollution have to do with it?

Air pollution has an alarming effect on global health. In 2019, it was responsible for 4.2 million global deaths. Inhaling air pollution harms health in many different ways beyond simply having effects on the lungs. Over 70% of air pollution deaths are due to cardiovascular diseases—diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attacks and strokes.