Thursday has been another very unpleasant and unhealthy day to be outside, especially for those who have heart or lung conditions."Usually, you come out here, it's nice and clear. You get to see the water moving. But it just looks kind of moody and gloomy," Harrisburg resident Jahkye-Irvin Goleston said.He said he has asthma, which is one reason why he's trying to keep the windows shut at the Harrisburg Beach Club food truck. He's also wearing a mask outdoors."Just have to make sure to keep checking my phone for weather updates and just hope that it goes away," he said.Part of Harrisburg was in the "hazardous" air quality category in the morning."We can make decisions to reduce our risk," Dr. Rebecca Bascom said.Bascom, a pulmonologist with Penn State Health, said she's been getting calls from patients with lung conditions who are struggling with the smoke."I have a patient with bad lung scarring and chronic bronchiectasis. She's coughing her brains out. She just doesn't know how to manage," she said.Bascom said people should try to avoid being outdoors if they're very young, older or have medical conditions. It's also recommended that you avoid outdoor exercise while air quality is poor.Bascom said wearing a mask may also help."If you have an N95 mask from the COVID days, you can wear that," she said.According to Bascom, particles from the smoke can get into your bloodstream, causing inflammation and making it harder for your body to absorb oxygen. It also increases your risk for heart attack or stroke.Staying healthyThe Pennsylvania Department of Health also provided some advice to help people stay healthy.All Pennsylvanians are encouraged to:Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.Keep outdoor activities short.Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.Tips to help keep particle pollution lower indoors:Don't use candles or smoke indoors.Keep windows and doors closed.If you have an air filter in your home, now is a good time to use it.Clean or replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations.If you don't have one and want to make your own portable air cleaner designed to reduce particles indoors, the EPA offers DIY information.People who may be at greater risk while the air quality is poor include:People with heart disease.People with lung disease, including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).Older adults.Children and teenagers because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air relative to their size.People who are pregnant.People who work outdoors.Visit www.airnow.gov to find the latest air quality levels and recommendations for your location.