If you are dealing with high blood pressure, the solution might be as simple as the air you breathe. According to the CDC, almost 50% of adults in the United States have high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Fortunately, a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that for those with preexisting high blood pressure, HEPA filters can lower blood pressure by 3mmHg.
The Massachusetts Highway Study
In the study, researchers identified 154 adults living within 200 meters of major highways in Massachusetts since proximity to a major highway leads to increased levels of pollution in the air of the home. In the randomized crossover trial, each participant had one month with a HEPA filter and one month with a fake filter with a washout period in between. Participants did not know when they had the true HEPA filter in their home. To measure the impact, researchers measured the levels of PM2.5 in the homes and took daily blood pressure readings on the participants.
The results illustrated the efficacy and positive health benefits of using HEPA filtration in homes. In the homes studied, HEPA filtration resulted in a 50% reduction in PM2.5 (from 5.2 to 2.5 μg/m³). The biggest improvements were seen midday and evening when particles from cooking are most prominent. As far as blood pressure goes, for those who already had a healthy blood pressure reading of less than 120 mmHg, the use of a HEPA filter did not impact blood pressure rates. For those with elevated and high blood pressure (greater than 120 mmHg), the use of the HEPA filter resulted in a 3mmHg reduction in blood pressure on average.
How Does Air Pollution Affect Blood Pressure
We know that poor air quality can certainly have a negative effect on health outcomes, but how exactly are air pollution and blood pressure related? Fine particles (PM2.5) are so small that upon inhalation, they can actually enter the bloodstream and travel to organs around the body. This can lead to inflammation, blood vessel constriction, and activate a stress response in the body, which all lead to an increase in blood pressure. In a previous study from the American Heart Association, researchers found that even one hour of exposure to high pollution levels can increase blood pressure by 3mmHg. With chronic exposure, individuals can experience chronic hypertension and damage to the cardiovascular system.
Who Benefits Most from Air Purification?
This study illustrated that air purification has real benefits and real results. While those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions and high blood pressure may see the most benefit, air purification is important for young, healthy populations as well. Cardiovascular damage from poor air quality can accumulate over time, so it is important to keep your air clean to maintain good heart and lung health for the long run. Additionally, younger populations are more likely to live in urban areas where traffic and industry can contribute to much higher levels of pollution, making it even more important to consider high quality air purification for current health and future prevention. While the 3mmHg decrease in blood pressure is significant for a lifestyle change, those with serious high blood pressure may still need medication. Pairing multiple lifestyle interventions like diet, exercise, and air purification can have a compounding effect, creating a greater change.
Taking Action
While it may feel like environmental factors like air pollution are out of our control, there are steps you can take to ensure your health is protected. First, know your personal baseline health numbers and your risk factors. If you already have high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or heart problems, then it is all the more important to invest in preventative measures like air purification. Additionally, where do you live? Is it somewhere prone to poor air quality days? Are you near busy roadways or factories? In that case, air purification is going to be incredibly important for prevention of future disease.
If you have decided that air purification is right for you, consider PuroAir’s high quality air purification systems. Combining HVAC filters with air purifier units in high impact areas like bedrooms or living rooms can deliver a total home solution for healthy air. PuroAir’s purifiers filter up to 99.9% of particles out of the air, including pollution and PM2.5 that are known to be detrimental to lung and heart health. Paired with healthy habits like clean eating and a consistent exercise routine, air purification is an essential part of a holistic cardiovascular health routine that can benefit you for years to come.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article, including references to scientific studies on heart health, is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult your physician or other licensed healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.