Scientists Find This Popular Household Appliance Helps Lower Blood Pressure

Key Points:

• A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that using HEPA air purifiers in homes near highways modestly reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 3 mm Hg in people with elevated systolic readings.
• The study involved 154 participants over 30 years old, who lived full-time near highways and were not on blood pressure or anti-inflammatory medications, with air purifiers used 99% of the time during the study.
• HEPA filters reduce indoor air pollution, which can trigger the sympathetic nervous system and cause vasoconstriction and chronic arterial changes leading to hypertension, according to cardiologist Dr. Karishma Patwa.
• The blood pressure reduction was significant only for those with initially elevated systolic blood pressure; no significant changes were observed in diastolic pressure or participants with normal systolic levels.
• Experts emphasize that improving air quality is one of many strategies to manage blood pressure naturally, alongside exercise, reducing salt intake, managing stress, eating potassium-rich foods, following the DASH diet, limiting alcohol, staying hydrated, and prioritizing sleep.