Abstract P104: High Lead Levels Associated With Elevated Blood Pressure In Haiti: A Warning Sign

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Haiti and many low-middle income countries. Environmental lead exposure is associated with higher blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease mortality in high income countries but has not been systematically evaluated in lower income countries where 6.5 billion people reside. Hypothesis: We hypothesized higher lead levels would be associated with higher BP in Haiti. Methods: Blood lead levels (BLLs) were measured among 2,257 participants ≥18 years enrolled in a population-based longitudinal cohort study in Port-au-Prince (Haiti Cardiovascular Disease Cohort Study). BLL screening was conducted using LeadCare II (detection limit ≥3.3 μg/dL). BLLs below detection were imputed. Associations between BLLs (quartiles) and systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were assessed, adjusting for age, sex, obesity, smoking, physical activity, and income. BLLs were also categorized as ≥5 versus <5 μg/dL. Results: The median age was 40 years; 62.6% were female. The geometric mean BLL was 4.60 μg/dL, 67.3% had detectable BLLs >3.3 μg/dL, and 40.9% had elevated BLLs ≥5 μg/dL. BLLs in quartile four (≥6.5 μg/dL) in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses were associated with higher SBP (adjusted 3.02 mmHg; 95%CI 0.80, 5.25) and DBP (adjusted 2.19 mmHg; 95%CI 0.70, 3.67). BLL ≥5 μg/dL were associated with a higher SBP (2.21 mmHg; 95%CI 0.15, 4.26) and DBP (1.50 mmHg; 95%CI 0.20, 2.81) in unadjusted analysis. After adjustment there was no difference in SBP (1.41; 95%CI -0.25, 3.09) and 1.15 mmHg (95%CI 0.01, 2.30) higher DBP. Conclusions: Widespread environmental lead exposure is evident in urban Haiti, with higher BLLs associated with higher SBP and DBP. Lead is a modifiable pollutant in low-income countries that warrants urgent public health remediation.