Air pollution is at an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in many UK cities, research has just shown.

According to a new study by King College London, air pollution can cause short-term health risks to people in many big cities, while contributing to the increase in the number of deaths to 36,000 per year in this country.

The study is based on an examination of the air pollution index in many major UK cities including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford and Southampton.

On days of high pollution, an average of 124 cases of heart attack, 230 strokes and 193 children, adults hospitalized for asthma. This number is based on the number of patients admitted to the hospital as well as the data of ambulance calls related to these diseases.

In particular, the capital of London is the most at risk, with an average of 87 more heart attacks, 144 strokes, 74 children and 33 adults hospitalized for asthma. Second is Birmingham and followed by cities such as Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham and Oxford.

Simon Stevens, executive director of the National Health Service (NHS), called the numbers "a health emergency" and called on the government "to act now."