The analysis, published recently in Current Problems in Cardiology by King's College London researchers, found that kids are at increased risk of cardiac disease and HBP due to long-term exposure to toxic air.
Childhood and adolescent hypertension is a risk factor for adult hypertension and heart disease. When blood pressure grows excessively high, it is referred to as hypertension. And this can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Children who breathe toxic air are more likely to develop heart problems and HBP, according to King’s College London research team.
Study into effects of toxic air:
Particulate matter is frequently emitted by automobiles, wood smoke, and combustion in the building and industrial industries. Pollution is a health-related structural determinant. Children in disadvantaged communities are more likely to be exposed to high amounts of pollution. So pollution reduction is critical for addressing health disparities.
The researchers examined eight trials. It included those involving 15,000 adolescents and children aged twelve and above. Five of these studies were undertaken in Europe, whereas prior assessments included more studies from China, where pollution levels are higher.
Although the influence of air pollution on heart disease and stroke in adults has been well documented, investigations in children have yielded inconclusive findings.
HBP & toxic air connection:
The research discovered that twelve-year-olds and older adolescents have increased diastolic blood pressure when exposed to fine particle air pollution. The pollutants are known as PM2.5 and PM10, for an extended period, such as living in a highly polluted location.
Despite the low quality of this research, this review found a significant link between air pollution and an increase in blood pressure among teenagers.
It backs with prior research that pollution has a disproportionate influence on the blood pressure of overweight or obese teenagers.
The study’s lead author, Professor Seeromanie Harding of King’s College London, stated: “We observed significant associations between long-term exposures to pollution and diastolic bp in adolescents aged twelve.”
The review also looked at short-term pollution exposure and its effects, but no link was discovered.
Conclusion:
Reducing environmental pollution is an urgent public health priority to protect our children’s futures.
It is critical to have high-quality studies that include sex, socio-economic circumstances, and weight status assessments, to track children’s exposure to pollution and prevent an adverse impact on their health.
Parvathy Sukumaran 
