The human brain and heart age
four times faster in Milan and Turin than they do in Rome, an
atherosclerosis expert said Thursday.
This is due to air pollution in combination with blood
cholesterol, according to European Atherosclerosis Society
chief, Alberico L. Catapano.
The two northern and notoriously smog-ridden Italian cities
have the worst air in Europe, according to European Environment
Agency (EEA) data.
"Inhaling particulate matter (PM) inflames the lungs and
the blood and this has repercussions on the carotid artery,"
Catapano explained.
"Added to the damages from the accumulation of cholesterol,
this causes the aging process to speed up".
The carotid artery supplies the head and neck with
oxygenated blood.
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