New research reveals that a simple air cleaner at home could be a powerful tool for cutting high blood pressure and protect heart health for people exposed to highway pollution.
Study: Effect of HEPA Infiltration Air Cleans on blood pressure: A realistic randomized junction test. Credit Picture: Proxima Studio/Shutterstock.com
A study published in Jacc conducted a randomized cross -release test to evaluate whether high performance air cleaners (HEPA) affect blood pressure (BP), focusing on people with increased basic systolic blood pressure (SBP). The researchers found that Air Hepa cleaners produced a significant significant reduction in the arm of the SBP in this group, and there was no significant overall reduction in SBP for all participants.
The impact of pollution on health
Many studies have measured high particles (PM) levels in residential areas closer to highways, especially from evaporation from eliminating, and tire wear and brake wear. Excellent particles (UFPS) (<0.1 µm) and PM2.5 (particles with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm) easily enter homes that do not have the proper ventilation, equipped with high performance filtration and recycling. People living within 200 meters of highway motorways are exposed to excessive air pollution.
Previous studies have created a correlation between the PM exposure and the increased risk of cardiovascular health. These studies have also shown that PM -related exposure increases the risk of increased BP and hypertension. Studies have also shown that people with high systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are at greater risk of heart attack, stroke and vascular and total mortality. For example, a 2 mm Hg increase in SBP has been linked to 7% increased risk of death from ischemic heart disease.
Previous research has shown that reduced exposure to PM can reduce BP, which ultimately reduces deaths due to cardiovascular disease or stroke. These beneficial effects were also observed in people with elevated low density cholesterol levels and smokers.
For the study
Participants for the current controlled report of randomized cross-checking test were hired from door to door over a four-year period, from 2020 to 2024. people who lived within 200 meters of at least one high traffic motor (I-93 and RT-38) in the eastern Massach. Typically they were registered during the coolest months, because the PM -produced pm tends to be higher in this period. All participants were over 30 years old and could respond to questionnaires in English or Spanish.
The study excluded people who smoke or fired, those in antihypertensive or anti -inflammatory drugs, people with recent important cardiovascular events or cancer treatments, those with important domestic burning sources (beyond cooking).
The houses were randomly commissioned to start using HEPA air cleaners for one month or identical “fake” cleaners with filters removed for a month. After this first month, all the devices were removed for a period of “riding” one month without air filtration and then the households were converted to the other type of cleaner for another month.
The current study used health air cleaners manufactured by Austin Air. HEPA filters used in this survey were manufactured from 5.5 m2 of medical material, which removed particles of size <0.3 <0,1 μm με> 99% and 95% yield, respectively. False filtration consisted of the same units as the filter removed.
All participants completed the questionnaire at the start and three subsequent home visits. They provided information on the condition of smoking, health status, activities and social stress. BP was collected four times: at the beginning of the study and at the end of each filtration period.
Study findings
The current randomized crossover test included 154 participants from 108 residences. However, 153 participants received 30 days of HEPA infiltration and 152 received 30 days of false filtration.
The study group included 59.7% females, 68.2% non -Spanish white, 18.7% Spanish and 82.9% part -time working or full -time. Most participants had a higher socio -economic regime, with the majority being college graduates and having household incomes exceeding $ 85,000 a year. The average age of the participants was 41.1 years. The average SBP/DBP arm at start was 118.8/76.5 mmHg.
HEPA infiltration significantly reduced PM2.5 Concentration compared to outdoor and internal fake filtration. The average pm2.5 The concentrations of over 24 hours were 3.9 µg/m³ (outdoor), 5.2 µg/m³ (internal lie) and 2.5 µg/m³ (HEPA infiltration). The average particle number (PNC) concentrations in a period of 24 hours were estimated at 10,052, 6,925 and 4,706 particles/cm3 For outdoor, internal fake and HEPA filtration, respectively. It should be noted that both pm2.5 and PNC concentrations were reduced all night.
Most BP measurements were taken between 6:00 am and 8:00 am, with 77.5% of all measurements in this window and the BP measurement timing was mainly consistent. The current study underlined a non -significant total difference of 0.5 mm Hg between HEPA and false filtration in SBP reduction. Participants who showed an increased SBP arm at the beginning of the intervention period showed a prominent SBP reduction by 2.8 mm Hg when they had HEPA filtration. However, these participants underwent an average increase of 0.2 mm Hg in SBP when false infiltration was used.
The sensitivity analysis showed a correlation between the SBP cutting point and the effectiveness of HEPA intervention. A higher rate of reduction in SBP was found in those who had increased SBP at the beginning of the intervention period and had HEPA infiltration.
Conclusions
The current study highlighted the benefits of air cleaners for people with increased SBP in BP reduction, especially those who live near highways. There was no significant benefit for participants with a normal basal SBP line.
Future research must conduct a more comprehensive subgroup analysis to determine further benefits from using air purifiers. Taking into account the lack of adverse reactions, the authors encourage vulnerable populations, including those with pre -existing cardiovascular risk, such as increased BP, and those who live near high traffic roads, use internal air cleaners.
