Hypertension can develop by inhalation of contaminated air
Last reviewed: 27.11.2021
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The inhalation of contaminated air by a pregnant woman can lead to the fact that in the future her child will have hypertension. According to scientists, this danger exists during the third trimester of pregnancy. Their arguments and suggestions were recently published by specialists belonging to the American Association of Cardiology.
The main composition of contaminated air is represented by finely dispersed tiny particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns. Such particles are present in the exhaust gases of cars, and also form during the combustion of oil products, coal and biofuel. Previously, scientists have already proved that the finely dispersed mixture penetrates the circulatory system, thereby causing various disturbances 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 as a whole is the factor that occupies the first place among the reasons for the development of many diseases and premature death. After a recent study, scientists also reported that the child, being in the mother's womb, is also at risk: inhalation by the future mother of polluted air increases the risk of the child's hypertension - in the future.
The study was conducted with the participation of almost 1,300 mothers and their children. Scientists constantly monitored blood pressure indicators in children, from the age of three and up to 9 years. Systolic blood pressure was considered elevated if they were among the 10% of the highest recorded numbers within an individual age group. During the analysis, specialists drew attention to other factors that could theoretically affect the indices of blood pressure-for example, the body weight of a child and the bad habits of the mother. It was found that in those children who during pregnancy women were in conditions of high air pollution, more than 60% more likely to have blood pressure problems, unlike those who lived in ecologically clean regions. At the same time, this effect did not depend on the weight of the child's body. Also, scientists noticed that the development of hypertension is affected only by inhalation of dirty air during pregnancy, but not at the stage of its planning.
Experts note that the information received is another confirmation of the importance of the quality of the inhaled air. A large number of particles in the atmosphere increases the risk of many pathologies. Moreover, the particles are able to overcome placental protection and have a negative impact on the development of the baby. Interestingly, the limiting concentration recorded during the experiment was 11.8 μg per cubic meter: this figure is even slightly lower than the national standard EPA (the standard limit concentration is 12 μg) suggests.
Information is available on the pages of the American Heart Association.
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