Low-level exposure to lead, blood pressure, and hypertension in a population-based cohort

• Background: Environmental lead exposure is a possible causative factor for increased blood pressure and hypertension, but large studies at low-level exposure are scarce, and results inconsistent. Objective: We aimed to examine the effects of environmental exposure to lead in a large population based sample. Methods: We assessed associations between blood lead and systolic/diastolic blood pressure and hypertension in 4452 individuals (46-67 years) living in Malmo, Sweden, in 1991-1994. Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer after 10 min supine rest. Hypertension was defined as high systolic ( >= 140 mmHg) or diastolic ( >= 90 mmHg) blood pressure and/or current use of anti hypertensive medication. Blood lead was calculated from lead in erythrocytes and haematocrit. Multi variable associations between blood lead and blood pressure or hypertension were assessed by linear and logistic regression. Two-thirds of the cohort was re-examined 16 years later. Results: At baseline, mean blood pressure was 141/87 mmHg, 16% used antihypertensive medication, 63% had hypertension, and mean blood lead was 28 mu g/L. Blood lead in the fourth quartile was associated with significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (point estimates: 1-2 mmHg) and increased prevalence of hypertension (odds ratio: 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.5) versus the other quartiles after adjustment for sex, age, smoking, alcohol, waist circumference, and education. Associations were also significant with blood lead as a continuous variable. Blood lead at baseline, having a halflife of about one month, was not associated with antihypertensive treatment at the 16-year follow-up. Conclusions: Low-level lead exposure increases blood pressure and may increase the risk of hypertension.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsmedicin och miljömedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Health and Environmental Health (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Blood lead

Blood pressure

Hypertension

Cohort

Cadmium

cardiovascular-disease

malmo diet

cadmium exposure

national-health

risk-factors

cancer

period

women

metaanalysis

mechanisms

Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Public

Environmental & Occupational

Health

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)