Overview
Obesity and exposure to fine particulate matter (particles of aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm, PM2.5) air pollution are established risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. This proposed pilot project seeks to assess interactions between PM2.5 exposure, obesity, CV health, and dietary antioxidant in subjects with obesity.
Description
This proposed intervention study will investigate (1) whether the use of portable air filtration systems (PAFS), by lowering PM2.5 exposures, will improve CV risk factors in subjects with obesity; and (2) whether antioxidant levels will modify the association between PM2.5 exposure and blood pressure. Our project will help validate the benefits of novel strategies to employ PAFS. Positive results would represent a key step in forming the evidence base required to promote more wide-scale PAFS use; in the long term, given their low cost and burden, PAFS use could be up-scaled to help protect diverse populations.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- ≥21 years old
- diagnosis of hypertension (BP ≥140/90 mm Hg)
- obesity (BMI\>30)
Exclusion Criteria:
- any CV event (myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure) in the past 3 months
- unstable CV condition (class 3-4 angina or heart failure) or any medical condition that would place the subject at risk from participation or jeopardize study integrity (per investigators)
- expected overnight travel outside their home during the 9-week study period
- unable to comprehend/sign informed consent
- lung disease requiring oxygen
- cancer receiving active treatment or chemotherapy
- CPAP use for sleep apnea
- CV medication change in the prior month
