Long Term Exposure To Smog Can Raise Blood Pressure: Study
Umer Jamshaid Published November 08, 2016 | 07:25 PM
ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 08th Nov, 2016 ) : A new review of studies has linked exposure to smog and other pollutants to a spike in blood pressure. The findings stem from a review of 17 studies conducted around the world.
Each assessed a possible link between blood pressure and dirty air related to common pollutants, such as vehicle exhaust, coal burning and airborne dirt or dust. "Our results demonstrated that air pollutants had both short-term and long-term effects on high blood pressure risks," said study author Tao Liu from Institute of Public Health in Guangzhou, China.
In the short term, he noted, a few days of increased air pollution could lead to more emergency hospital visits due to temporary spikes in blood pressure. In the long term, those living with consistently high levels of air pollution could end up with chronically high blood pressure.
According to background notes with the study, causes of high blood pressure (or "hypertension") include genes, lifestyle habits, diet and environmental factors -- probably including air pollution.
Until now, evidence linking smog with high blood pressure has been controversial, Liu said in the study published in the journal Hypertension. For this project, investigators analyzed 17 studies conducted through August 2015.
The studies involved roughly 328,000 people in all, about 108,000 of whom had high blood pressure.
Those investigations were conducted in Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Iran, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United States.
Short-term pollution exposure was defined as occurring over a number of days, and long-term exposure over a number of years. In general, the research team defined high blood pressure as a systolic blood pressure reading (the top number) above 140 mm Hg and/or a diastolic blood pressure reading in excess of 90 mm Hg.
Use of blood pressure medication was also an indication of high blood pressure. The focus was on air pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, which stems from fossil fuels that power factories and cars; sulfur dioxide, also a fossil fuel emission; ozone; carbon monoxide; and particulate matter, such as tiny dust specks, dirt, smoke, and droplets of liquid.
Short-term exposure to pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and certain types of particulate matter appeared to boost risk for high blood pressure. Also, long-term exposure to nitrogen oxide and particulate matter was linked to greater risk, the review indicated.
The findings didn't establish a cause-and-effect relationship between these elements and elevated blood pressure. Also, while it appeared that ozone and carbon monoxide were tied to higher blood pressure, these two links did not reach "statistical significance," the researchers said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Pakistan, UK discuss collaboration in education sector
4 hours ago -
PMD forecast rain-windstorm/thunderstorm for various parts of country
4 hours ago -
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
4 hours ago -
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
5 hours ago -
Earthquake jolts Karachi
5 hours ago -
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
5 hours ago
-
Police book youngster for abusing student for one year
5 hours ago -
Police arrest 23 suspects, recover stolen money, phones
5 hours ago -
Colorful cultural festival concludes at NUML
5 hours ago -
Immunization awareness week kicks off in Balochistan
5 hours ago -
Ministers visit Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital following roof collapse incident
5 hours ago -
IHC serves notices in petition against 'roti' price fixation
5 hours ago