| BACKGROUND: The relation between air pollution and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk
factors, especially blood pressure (BP) levels, has been less frequently assessed. The aim of this
study was evaluating the association between air pollutants of less than 2.5 µm [particulate
matter (PM2.5)] and BP indices among individuals admitted with CVDs and pulmonary diseases.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was in context of air pollution associated with
hospitalization and mortality of CVDs and respiratory diseases (CAPACITY) study. Data of
792 Iranian patients referring to two hospitals in Isfahan, Iran, for cardiovascular or respiratory
problems from March 2011 to March 2012 were used for analysis. BP indices including systolic
BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were obtained from patients’
medical forms and mean PM2.5 concentrations during 24 hours prior to admission of each
patient were obtained from Isfahan Department of Environment (DOE).
RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation (SD) of participants’ age were 62.5 ± 15.9 years. All BP
indices on admission were significantly higher in women compared with men. Adjustment of all
potential confounders including age, sex, temperature, wind speed, and dew point revealed that
increasing one quartile in PM2.5 concentrations had been associated with 1.98 mmHg raising in
SBP at the time of admission [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.41-3.54, P = 0.010]. Women
with cardiac diseases had higher all BP indices with increased PM2.5 concentration [SBP: β:
4.30, 95% CI = 0.90-7.70, P = 0.010; DBP: β: 1.89, 95% CI = 0.09-3.69, P = 0.040; MAP: β:
3.09, 95% CI = 0.68-5.51, P= 0.010, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that increasing PM2.5 concentration has been positively associated
with raising SBP in total population and all BP indices among women with cardiac problems at
admission time. Several comprehensive studies are required for confirming these relations. |