Air Pollution and Home Blood Pressure: The 2021 Athens Wildfires

Fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) in the ambient air has been associated with increased blood pressure (BP) levels and new-onset hypertension. However, the association of BP with a sudden upsurge of PM_2.5 in extreme conditions has not yet been demonstrated.

To evaluate the association between PM_2.5 pollutants the week before, during, and the week after the 2021 wildfires in Athens (Greece) and home BP measurements.

Home BP measurements were performed, and the readings were transferred to the doctor's office through a telemonitoring system on the patient's Smartphone application. Data from a calibrated, sensor-based PM_2.5 monitoring network assessed PM_2.5 exposure.

PM_2.5 pollutants demonstrated a gradual surge while the particle concentration was not different in the selected air pollution measurement stations. A total of 20 consecutive patients with controlled hypertension, mean age 61 ± 9 years, were included in the analysis. For one unit in μg/m³ increase of PM_2.5 particle concentration, an average of 2.1 mmHg increment in systolic BP was observed after adjustment for confounders (P = 0.023).

Our findings raise the hypothesis that short-term exposure to raised PM_2.5 concentrations in the air appears to be associated with increases in systolic home BP." Telemonitoring systems of home BP recordings may provide important information for the clinical management of hypertensive patients, at least in conditions of major environmental disturbances, such as wildfires.