Association Between Blood Lead Level With High Blood Pressure in US (NHANES 1999-2018)

BackgroundLead is a toxic metal for human health, but the effect on blood pressure (BP) is still controversial. The object of this study was to demonstrate the association between blood lead levels with BP and hypertension (HTN). MethodsWe used the database from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999-2018) to perform a cross-sectional study. We performed multivariate regressions to examine the association between blood lead level with HTN and BP, and then a subgroup analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 32,289 participants were included in this study, but no significant difference was found between blood lead levels and HTN. However, the association between blood lead levels with systolic and diastolic pressure became positive. In the subgroup analysis stratified by race, the association between non-Hispanic white and black people still existed. ConclusionThe association between blood lead levels with HTN was not significant, but it was positively associated with BP. Besides, the association between non-Hispanic white and black people was also significant.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the association between blood lead levels and blood pressure and hypertension. The results showed a positive association between blood lead levels and blood pressure, but no significant association with hypertension. Additionally, the association between blood lead levels and blood pressure remained significant in non-Hispanic white and black individuals.