Hypertension can develop from inhaling polluted air

Inhaling polluted air by a pregnant woman can lead to her child developing hypertension in the future. According to scientists, such a danger exists during the third trimester of pregnancy. Experts belonging to the American Heart Association recently published their arguments and assumptions.

The main composition of polluted air is represented by finely dispersed tiny particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns. Such particles are present in car exhaust gases and are also formed during the combustion of petroleum products, coal and biofuels. Previously, scientists have already managed to prove that the finely dispersed mixture penetrates the circulatory system, thereby causing various disorders in the human body. For example, prolonged inhalation of heavily polluted air, according to experts, increases the risk of developing hypertension in both adults and children. In addition, poor ecology in general is a factor that ranks first among the causes of many diseases and premature death. After a recent study, scientists also reported that a child, while in the mother's womb, is also at risk: inhalation of polluted air by the expectant mother increases the risk of hypertension in the child - in the future.

The study involved almost 1,300 mothers and their children. Scientists constantly monitored the children's blood pressure readings from the age of three to the age of nine. Systolic pressure readings were considered elevated if they were among the 10% of the highest recorded readings within a particular age group. When conducting the analysis, the specialists paid attention to other factors that could theoretically influence blood pressure readings, such as the child's weight and the mother's bad habits. It was found that children who were exposed to high levels of air pollution during the mother's pregnancy were more than 60% more likely to have problems with blood pressure, compared to those who lived in ecologically clean regions. This effect did not depend on the child's weight. Scientists also noted that the development of hypertension is affected only by inhaling dirty air during pregnancy, but not at the planning stage.

Experts note that the information obtained is another confirmation of the importance of the quality of inhaled air. A large number of particles in the atmosphere increases the risk of many pathologies. Moreover, particles are able to overcome the placental protection and have a negative impact on the development of the baby. Interestingly, the maximum concentration recorded during the experiment was 11.8 μg per cubic meter: this figure is even slightly lower than the national EPA standard (the standard maximum concentration is 12 μg).

Information is available on the American Heart Association website.

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