Living near urban green and blue spaces is associated with a reduced risk of developing coronary artery calcification, an early indicator of heart disease, especially for Black individuals and those in lower-income neighborhoods.
The benefits were most significant for Black participants living in economically disadvantaged areas, with those having greater access to rivers experiencing a 32% lower risk of calcification and those with more green space access seeing up to a 35% decrease in risk. Furthermore, every 10%-point increase in green space accessibility led to a 15% reduction in the risk of coronary artery calcification, as compared to those with limited access.
This new study was released in the latest edition of Circulation on June 27 and reveals that the presence of calcium buildup in the coronary arteries, known as coronary artery calcification (CAC), can signal the onset of coronary artery disease, potentially leading to a heart attack.
Lead author Dr. Lifang Hou, a preventive medicine professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of urban green and blue spaces in reducing the risk of CAC, particularly among vulnerable populations at higher risk for heart disease. Dr. Hou highlighted the need for environmental policies that enhance the accessibility and quality of such spaces to address health disparities related to race and neighborhood.
How Green and Blue Spaces Enhance Health
Dr. Hou suggests that the availability of green and blue spaces can encourage physical activity, social engagement, stress reduction, and rejuvenation, all of which are beneficial for metabolic and cardiovascular health. Exposure to these environments can also boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and slow down the aging process, all of which play a vital role in overall health and heart health.
The study also noted that in disadvantaged neighborhoods, closer proximity to parks was linked to a higher risk of CAC, with individuals living near parks showing a 29% greater likelihood of calcification compared to those farther away.
Co-author Kyeezu Kim, a professor at Feinberg School of Medicine and Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine in South Korea, highlighted that the condition and safety of parks in underserved areas could hinder residents from fully utilizing and benefiting from these spaces, indicating the need for improved park quality and management in such neighborhoods.
Research Methodology
The research involved nearly 3,000 Black and white men and women, with an average age of 50, from four U.S. cities monitored over a 25-year period. The study, part of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) project, assessed the impact of urban green and blue spaces on cardiovascular health, with a focus on racial and socioeconomic factors.
Data from the CARDIA study analyzed blue space coverage, distance to rivers, green space coverage, and proximity to major parks within 5 km of participants’ residences. Correlations between these spaces and CAC risk were studied based on race and socioeconomic status.
The ongoing CARDIA study is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in collaboration with various institutions and receives funding from several organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association.
