Did you know that something as simple as using an air purifier in your home could help lower your blood pressure? A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) in adults, even in areas with relatively clean air.
What is systolic blood pressure?
Systolic blood pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading. It measures how much pressure your blood is putting on your artery walls when your heart beats. A normal SBP is usually less than 120 mm Hg. If your SBP is higher than that, you may be at risk for heart problems or stroke.
What did the study find?
Researchers from Tufts University and other institutions studied 154 adults who lived near highways but did not have any known heart disease. These participants were randomly assigned to use either a real HEPA air purifier or a fake (sham) purifier for one month. After that, they had a month-long break without a purifier, followed by a second month using the opposite machine.
At the beginning and end of each month, researchers measured the participants’ blood pressure and collected survey information. They also measured indoor air quality in some of the homes.
Why does this matter?
A 3.0 mm Hg reduction in SBP might seem small, but even small changes in blood pressure can lower your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems. And the best part? Using a HEPA air purifier is easy, affordable, and has no known side effects.