A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reveals that using portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers at home can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) in adults with elevated readings, even in areas with relatively low overall air pollution.
Particulate matter (PM), especially from vehicle emissions and road traffic, has long been linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Fine particles can enter homes and negatively impact residents’ health, contributing to hypertension and elevated blood pressure—both of which are major risk factors for CVD.
The study, led by Dr. Douglas Brugge of UConn Health, enrolled 154 adults living near highways in a randomized crossover trial. Participants used HEPA air purifiers or sham devices (with filters removed) for one month, followed by a washout period and then the alternate treatment. Blood pressure measurements and questionnaires were collected at the start and end of each period.
Among participants with elevated SBP (above 120 mmHg), one month of HEPA filtration led to an average 2.8 mmHg reduction in SBP.
In contrast, SBP increased by 0.2 mmHg during the sham period, resulting in a 3.0 mmHg difference favoring HEPA filtration. No significant changes were observed in diastolic blood pressure or in participants with normal SBP levels.
“High blood pressure remains one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Brugge. “This research adds to growing evidence that simple interventions, like in-home air filtration, may help improve heart health for people at risk.”
Dr. Jonathan Newman of NYU Grossman School of Medicine emphasized the broader significance of particulate pollution: “Overwhelming evidence shows the harmful health effects of PM2.5 exposure, even at levels below current U.S. standards.” He stressed the need for public education and clean air policies to safeguard public health.
Dr. Harlan Krumholz, Editor-in-Chief of JACC, highlighted that even modest improvements in indoor air quality could make a meaningful difference in cardiovascular risk. “These results suggest that what we breathe at home may matter for our cardiovascular health,” he noted.
While promising, the study has limitations, including limited demographic diversity, exclusion of individuals on blood pressure medication, potential inconsistencies in purifier use, and lack of data during hotter seasons or high indoor pollution periods.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies that widely used blood pressure drug may increase eye disease risk and common blood pressure drugs linked to cognitive decline.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about why checking blood pressure while lying down is very important and lowering top blood pressure number to less than 120 mm Hg effectively prevents heart disease.
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