A study links a reduction in BP intensity to a lower CV risk in patients exposed to air pollution

CLEVELAND – Evidence shows that air pollutants are the biggest threat to global health. Studies have shown that exposure to granular material of less than 2.5 microns is associated with severe and harmful elevations in blood pressure (BP) as well as hypertension. In the study “The benefits of acute Versus acute blood pressure treatment according to the publication of ultra-fine air pollution” published this week in the journal Hypertension, researchers at University Hospitals (UH) and the University of Western Europe (CWRU) School of Medicine found that BP intensity reduction is effective in reducing cardiovascular risk in patients exposed to high levels of air pollution.

Air pollution, especially granular substances, has been implicated in cardiovascular risk, in part through effects on BP. Certain materials less than 2.5 microns are thick grains that develop from human impact on the environment, such as car mining, power generation and other fossil fuels. Researchers sought to determine whether BP’s acute reduction in cardiovascular events was altered by exposure to air pollution in the NIH-funded BP Systolic Intervention Test (SPRINT).

Researchers linked satellite integrated air pollution exposures with residential addresses for 9,286 patients enrolled in the SPRINT trial. The study showed that a decrease in BP intensity (defined as a target systolic blood pressure lower than 120 mmHg) led to a significant reduction in cardiovascular events (a combination of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or death from cardiovascular disease). ) especially in patients exposed to increased contamination. standards. The authors concluded that environmental air pollution may affect the benefit of BP reduction intensity. Lowering BP is particularly beneficial for patients exposed to high levels of granular material and may even reduce the adverse cardiovascular effects of granular substance contamination.

“Air pollution affects patients with socioeconomic disadvantage to a higher degree. Living within a particular neighborhood should not mean you are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. , ”said Sadeer Al-Kindi, MD, a cardiologist with UH Harrington Institute of Heart & Vascular, Associate Professor. , CWRU School of Medicine and lead author of the study. “University Hospitals have a history of tackling health care disparities in less protected communities and are armed with the information from this study, we can think of solutions to create a better service to it. those numbers. “

Patients exposed to high levels of air pollution can take control of their health by realizing that reducing BP is effective in reducing cardiovascular risk.

“This study improves our understanding of the intersection between air pollution, heart disease and blood pressure. It also has an impact on the management of patients exposed to high levels of air pollution,” said Sanjay Rajagopalan, MD, CEO Cardiovascular Medicine, UH Harrington Institute of Heart & Vascular, Professor, CWRU School of Medicine and lead author of the study.

“This is one of the few findings from SPRINT that demonstrates the potential heterogeneity of BP’s benefit in reducing cardiovascular outcomes,” said Jackson Wright, MD, PhD, SPRINT Steering Committee member , Director, Clinical Hypertension Program, UH Cleveland Medical Center and Professor Emeritus, CWRU School of Medicine. “The findings of this groundbreaking analysis of the SPRINT test may provide additional insights and pathways for further study of the harmful effects of air pollution on cardiovascular disease.”

“The next steps in this research include examining the mechanical foundations of this impact modification and identifying ways to reduce pollution exposure and reduce the harmful effects of air pollution on the cardiovascular system. , “said Dr. Al-Kindi.

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About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio

Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through a unified network of 19 hospitals (including 4 joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and 200 physician offices. in 16 counties across northern Ohio. The system’s main academic medical center, the Cleveland University Hospitals Medical Center, located in the University Circle of Cleveland, is affiliated with the University of Western Reserve School of Medicine. The main campus also includes Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospitals University Hospitals, which are among the top children’s hospitals in the country; University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital, the only women’s hospital in Ohio; Harrington Institute Heart & Vascular University Hospitals, a high-profile national referral center for complex cardiovascular procedures; and Seidman University Hospitals Cancer Center, part of the NCI-nominated Comprehensive Case Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the country, including cancer, pediatrics, women’s health, orthopedics, radiation, neurology, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, digestive health, trans- put and urology. The UH Cleveland Medical Center is largely among the top performers in national ranking studies, including “the best hospitals in America” from US News & World Report. UH is also home to the Harrington Discovery Institute, part of the Harrington Project for Discovery & Development. UH is one of the largest employers in northeastern Ohio with 28,000 physicians and employees. The advancement of Compassionary Health Science and Art is UH’s vision for the future benefit of its patients, and its unwavering mission is to heal the organization. To teach. To find out. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook @UniversityHospitals and Twitter @UHhospitals. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.