Abstract
Lead is a heavy metal without a biological role. High level of lead exposure is known to be associated with hypertension, but the risk at low levels of exposure is uncertain. In this study, data from US NHANES 1999–2016 were analyzed. Adults with blood lead and blood pressure measurements, or self-reported hypertension diagnosis, were included. If not already diagnosed, hypertension was defined according to the AHA/ACC 2017 hypertension guideline. Results were analyzed using R statistics version 3.5.1 with sample weight adjustment. Logistic regression was used to study the association between blood lead level and hypertension. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated. Altogether, 39,477 participants were included. Every doubling in blood lead level was associated with hypertension (OR [95%CI] 1.45 [1.40–1.50]), which remained significant after adjusting for demographics. Using quartile 1 as reference, higher blood lead levels were associated with increased adjusted odds of hypertension (Quartile 4 vs. Quartile 1: 1.22 [1.09–1.36]; Quartile 3 vs. Quartile 1: 1.15 [1.04–1.28]; Quartile 2 vs. Quartile 1: 1.14 [1.05–1.25]). In conclusion, blood lead level is associated with hypertension in the general population with blood lead levels below 5 µg/dL. Our findings suggest that reducing present levels of environmental lead exposure may bring cardiovascular benefits by reducing blood pressure.
Highlights
We included adult participants aged ≥ 20 years with blood lead and blood pressure measurements in NHANES 1999–2016. 10,065 participants without blood lead or blood pressure measurements were excluded. Those who did not respond to the question “Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had hypertension, called high blood pressure?” were excluded
Multiple regression was used to estimate the effect of doubling in blood lead level on systolic blood pressure
Further analysis was conducted on the association between blood lead level and hypertension according to the quartiles of blood lead level, gender and ethnicity
Summary
High blood lead level is associated with an increased risk of hypertension in epidemiological s tudies[12] and meta-analyses[2,13]. A significant relationship between blood lead level and odds for hypertension was reported in studies of the Brazilian (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.17–5.53)[14] and American population (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.08–6.72)[15]. This relationship has been reported in a Korean s tudy[16]. We conducted this study to confirm the association between hypertension and blood lead level in the range typically found in the general population, using data from the latest NHANES
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
