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Associations between environmental exposure and blood pressure among participants in the Oslo Health Study (HUBRO)

  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

It is well known that environmental conditions are related to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and events. However, the mechanisms behind these relations are␣not well understood. One mechanism could be elevation of blood pressure. In this study we assessed associations between blood pressure and environmental conditions among citizens in Oslo, Norway.

Materials and methods

We used the Oslo Health Study (HUBRO), a population based study of 18,770 Oslo citizens, to assess associations between blood pressure and environmental conditions including season, smoking, outdoor temperature and air pollution.

Results

Blood pressure was higher in the winter season, but the association disappeared when we adjusted for temperature. A 10 °C reduction in outdoor temperature, the day blood pressure was measured was related to an increase in blood pressure for both men [SBP: 1.5 mmHg (95% CI, 0.6–2.3); DBP: 1.3 mmHg (95% CI, 0.1–1.8)] and women [SBP: 2.4 mmHg (95% CI, 1.6–3.2); DBP: 1.8 mmHg (95% CI, 1.3–2.3)]. No convincing relation was found between indicators of air pollution exposure and blood pressure.

Conclusion

Several environmental conditions were related to blood pressure, and have similar associations with cardiovascular diseases or mortality. This could indicate that some of the effect these exposures have on the cardiovascular system is by increasing blood pressure.

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Acknowledgements

The data collection was conducted as part of the Oslo Health Study 2000–2001 in collaboration with the National Health Screening Service of Norway – now the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

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Correspondence to Christian Madsen.

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Madsen, C., Nafstad, P. Associations between environmental exposure and blood pressure among participants in the Oslo Health Study (HUBRO). Eur J Epidemiol 21, 485–491 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-006-9025-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-006-9025-x

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