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A new study examines how in-home air purifiers may improve blood pressure.
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Air pollution has been found to negatively impact heart health.
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Keep reading to learn how the appliance could help.
Short- and long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter in the air—or, put simply, air pollution—has repeatedly been proven to affect blood pressure negatively. Now, a new study found that a type of air purifier, specifically, ones with HEPA air filters, may lower blood pressure in certain groups and therefore boost their cardiovascular health.
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Meet the expert: Karishma Patwa, M.D., a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology and LabFinder contributor.
You may have never considered a household appliance’s ability to improve your bloodwork, but according to the latest research, it’s possible.
A small study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology analyzed 154 participants who lived near a highway and were regularly exposed to air pollution from it (i.e. tailpipe emissions, tire and brake wear). Participants were all over 30 (their average age was 41), and a majority were of higher socioeconomic status. Requirements were that they lived full-time at the highway-adjacent residence, did not have a history of heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular event, and did not actively take any blood pressure or anti-inflammation medications. The group’s average blood pressure reading was 118.8/76.5 mm Hg at baseline (so within a normal range: The American Heart Association recommends aiming for 120/80 mm Hg or lower.)
Researchers installed custom-made HealthMate HEPA air purifiers in participants’ bedrooms and living rooms and confirmed that they were used 99% of the time during which the study took place. Participants’ blood pressures were measured four times over two months—at the beginning and end of a month-long “sham purification” or faux air purification and a month of real filtration—and they answered questions about their exposure to second-hand smoke, stress levels, exercise frequency, and general health.
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Ultimately, the study found that the introduction of HEPA filters in the homes of people who live near a highway and have elevated blood pressures “resulted in a modest but significant reduction in systolic blood pressure,” which is the upper number of a reading, explains Karishma Patwa, M.D., a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology and LabFinder contributor. The average net reduction was 3 mm Hg.
How HEPA filters may help manage blood pressure
“Air pollution can trigger the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate and vasoconstriction,” which is the constricting of blood vessels that allow for free blood flow, Dr. Patwa explains. Pollution can also cause chronic structural changes to the arteries, he adds, which can lead to hypertension. “HEPA filters reduce the pollution entering a home, thereby lowering those effects,” he concludes.
This is simply a reminder that so many different factors—mental and physical, internal and external—go into blood pressure management. “For me, the key takeaway to this study is that improving air quality, even with a simple low-cost measure, can lower systolic blood pressure, which leads to lower rates of cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Patwa adds.
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool
This hugely popular air purifier uses a HEPA filter that seals allergens inside. It also does triple duty as a heater and air conditioner, and oscillates up to 350 degrees.
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Coway Airmega
This sleek air purifier uses a four-stage filtration system to pull out larger gunk, deodorize your air, and more to remove up to 99. 97% of particles 0. 3 microns or larger from your air. (That including pollen and other allergens.)
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Mila Air Purifier
Designed for larger rooms up to 540 square feet, the Mila air purifier gives you plenty of information about your current air quality and how long it’ll take to get to where you want it to be. Choose from a range of specialized filters, whether you have pets or are expecting.
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Other ways to maintain healthy blood pressure
Of course, plugging in an air purifier won’t do all the work of keeping your heart healthy. Approaching the system from multiple angles is key to lowering your risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event. Here are some other ways to lower your blood pressure naturally, according to experts and research:
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