According to the WHO, air pollution is the greatest health risk worldwide, with more than 4.2 million deaths annually. In addition, chronic exposure to particulate matter contributes to the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and has been specifically linked to high blood pressure, according to a study published in Scientific Reports by the Biomedical Research Networking Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM) and the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga (IBIMA).
The study by the Gemma Rojo team assessed the impact of particulate matter pollution on the long-term incidence of hypertension in Spain and supported the need to improve air quality as much as possible in order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in the population.
To this end, CIBERDEM researchers carried out a study [email protected] , in which 1,103 people between the ages of 18 and 83 took part. None of the participants had hypertension at the start of the study (2008-2010) and were monitored until 2016-17. The cohort participants were assigned air pollutant concentrations for fine dust, which were obtained by combined modeling with measurements at air quality stations. During this period, 282 cases of high blood pressure were recorded.
The study was carried out in collaboration with the Air Pollution Department of the Research Center for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT).
As Sergio Valdés, CIBERDEM researcher at IBIMA and endocrinologist at the Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, explained: “Several previous studies have described the short- and long-term association of air pollutants with high blood pressure and blood pressure levels, but few studies have looked at the relationship between long-term exposure to these particles and the occurrence of hypertension in a prospective manner [email protected] Study gave us the opportunity to do this in the Spanish population. “
During the study phases, the participants were medically examined in a health center and blood samples were taken. A questionnaire was also used to obtain information on age, gender, educational level, ethnicity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other variables. Food intake was determined using a Mediterranean diet compliance questionnaire, physical activity levels were analyzed, and BMI was calculated. The blood pressure was measured with a sphygmomanometer and determined to be hypertension when the mean systolic blood pressure was greater than or equal to 140 mmHg and / or when the mean diastolic blood pressure was greater than or equal to 90 mmHg.
The greatest threat to the cardiovascular system
Our data is consistent with ample evidence suggesting that air pollution may contribute to the pathogenesis of high blood pressure. It also supports the idea that the particulate matter component of air pollution is the greatest threat to the cardiovascular system. “
Gemma Rojo, head of the CIBERDEM group at IBIMA and final signatory of the study
In this regard, she notes: “Although previous associations between exposure to gaseous pollutants and hypertension have shown some discrepancies, most studies reporting long-term exposure to particulate matter and hypertension have reported positive associations that are consistent with our results. ”
In short, the CIBERDEM study is helping to assess the impact of particulate matter pollution on the incidence of hypertension in Spain and, as Sergio Valdés explains, “our results support the need to improve air quality as much as possible in order to reduce the risk to reduce”. of high blood pressure in our population, as even moderate values, as we report here, significantly increase the risk. “
Source:
MP Network Biomedical Research Center Consortium
Journal reference:
Doulatram-Gamgaram, V., et al. (2021) Association between long-term exposure to particulate matter and the occurrence of hypertension in Spain. Scientific reports. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-99154-7.
