Inexpensive, portable air purifier could help protect the heart from pollution

Fossil fuel combustion, fires, cigarettes and vehicles. Known as a fine particle, this form of air pollution increases the risk of cardiovascular and other serious health problems.

"Despite improvements in the US during the past few decades, more than 88,000 deaths per year occur in the US due to particulate matter air pollution exposure," says Robert Brook, MD, a cardiovascular medicine specialist at the University of Michigan's Frankel Cardiovascular Center.

Now, researchers have found that an inexpensive portable air purifier can be used to get rid of the air.

A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine Founded by a low-cost air purifier at the homeowners 'homeowner' fine particulate matter exposure. It also significantly reduced their blood pressure, which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

"The results show that it is possible to use inexpensive indoor air filtration units," Brook says, the study's senior author.

He conducted the research with colleagues from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, including first author Masako Morishita, Ph.D., of MSU.

Improving indoor air

Because the nation's population spends nearly 90 percent of its time indoors, researchers focused on exposure to pollutants while people are inside their homes.

Brook and his colleagues in Detroit, Brooklyn and his colleagues in Detroit.

Forty seniors participated in this randomized, double-blind study between fall 2014 and fall 2016. Ninety-five percent of the participants were black; all were nonsmokers.

Air-filtering system, a low-efficiency air purifier and a high-efficiency air purifier system.

Participants went about their normal business during the study period and were welcome. Blood pressure is measured each day, and participants are exposed to the air pollution.

The researchers focused on reducing air pollution and reducing blood pressure to a three-day period as an indication of the portable air filters' potential to be cardioprotective.

As a result, the size of the blood pressure is reduced by 40 percent, and the average blood pressure is reduced to 3.4 mm Hg (normal systolic blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg). 2 at 140).

"The benefits have been more marked in that he had 6 to 10 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure," Brook says, also a professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School.

High-efficiency air purifiers reduce pollutant exposure to a greater degree, but they do not lower people's blood pressure more significantly than low-efficiency air purifiers, which are widely available for less than $ 70 apiece .

A relatable model

Existing research has also been investigating air pollution in the field of cardiovascular and metabolic effects in heavily polluted areas.

However, Brook says his team's report adds an important new consideration.

"During the time of the study in Detroit, outdoor fine particulate matter levels averaged 9 micrograms per cubic meter, which is within the National Ambient Air Quality Standards," Brook adds. "This strongly supports that even more improvements in air quality can be more protective to public health."

Tea JAMA Internal Medicine paper further differs from previous studies through its focus on an elderly and low-income population.

Researchers, Brook Says, Wanted to Explore Preventative Strategies in Everyday Situations

Nearly half of participants in the small study place the criteria for obesity – and their average blood pressure would be clbadified as hypertensive, according to the 2017 American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology guideline.

It is also a combination of low-income senior citizens, an urban environment in the U.S. and personal exposures to fine particulate matter.

Clearing the air

Despite the findings in the small study, more research is needed.

"It's premature to recommend that we buy air filters to prevent heart diseases," Brook says.

His team plans to test the approach of various populations to learn more about how to reduce blood pressure.

Brook says future research must also be studied in the field of cardiovascular events.

An epidemiologic calculus is available at the present time. 16 percent decrease in cardiovascular events if 3.2 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure is maintained for a period of months to years, the study authors note.

"In the meantime, clinicians and medical societies should play an active role in the effort to improve the health of their patients and families," Brook says.