Abstract

Warning View the most recent version.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.

Skip to text

Background
Keywords
Findings
Author
What is already known on this subject?
What does this study add?

Text begins

Background

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but its cause is not always known. Interest is increasing in the potential role of environmental chemicals, including lead.

Data and methods

Data are from the first two cycles of the Canadian Health Measures Survey. Lead in whole blood (PbB), and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured and hypertension status was derived for 4,550 respondents aged 40 to 79. Linear regression estimated associations between PbB and SBP and DBP. Logistic regression estimated associations between PbB and hypertension. Adjusted least squares geometric means of PbB were estimated for hypertensive versus non-hypertensive individuals.

Results

Compared with non-hypertensive individuals, those with hypertension had higher average PbB levels, were older, more likely to be male, and more likely to have other hypertension risk factors (diabetes, family history of high blood pressure). In adjusted regression models, a modest association emerged between PbB levels and SBP among 40- to 54-year-olds, and between PbB levels and DBP for the overall population. No association emerged between PbB levels and hypertension prevalence.

Interpretation

A modest association was observed between blood lead levels and blood pressure, but not with hypertension, in Canadian adults aged 40 to 79.

Keywords

Biomonitoring, cardiovascular diseases, environmental exposure, heavy metals

Findings

Hypertension is recognized as the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, accounting for 9.4 million deaths worldwide in 2010. It increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure and renal failure. In Canada, hypertension affects at least one in five adults aged 20 or older and is the leading modifiable risk factor for stroke. [Full Text]

Author

Tracey Bushnik (tracey.bushnik@statcan.gc.ca) is with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada. Patrick Levallois is with l’Institut national de santé publique du Québec and le Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec. Monique D’Amour is with Health Canada. Todd J. Anderson is with the Libin Cardiovascular Institute. Finlay A. McAlister, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, is an Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Senior Health Scholar and the University of Alberta Chair in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research.

What is already known on this subject?

  • Hypertension is recognized as the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but its cause is not always known.
  • There is increasing interest in the potential role of exposure to environmental chemicals, including lead, in cardiovascular effects.
  • The link between lead exposure and hypertension is supported by animal studies, but results from human studies vary.

What does this study add?

  • The Canadian Health Measures Survey is the first national population-based survey to allow for the examination of the association between blood lead (PbB) and hypertension in Canada since the 1978-1979 Canada Health Survey.
  • The association between PbB and blood pressure varies by sex and age group.
  • PbB levels have a modest association with blood pressure and no association with hypertension prevalence among Canadian adults aged 40 to 79.
Report a problem on this page

Is something not working? Is there information outdated? Can't find what you're looking for?

Please contact us and let us know how we can help you.

Privacy notice

Date modified: