Short-term association between air pollution and hypertension mortality in Wuhan residents

Air pollution has been suggested as a trigger of hypertension (HTN), but it has not yet been fully analyzed how it impacts short-term HTN mortality. This study aimed to assess the association between short-term air pollution exposure and HTN mortality among Wuhan residents. This study used site-based HTN data from 2013 to 2019, in addition to data on meteorology and air pollution. Associations between short-term air pollution exposure and HTN mortality were assessed using generalized additive models (GAM). Positive links were found between PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2 and HTN diseases mortality. In the single-pollutant model, for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2, the percent changes (PCs) for HTN mortality were 0.991% (95% CI: 0.205, 1.778), 0.835% (95% CI: 0.336, 1.334), 4.344% (95% CI: 2.021, 6.668), and 1.740% (95% CI: 0.785, 2.694), respectively. O3 was found negatively associated with HTN mortality, and the PC with every 10 μg/m3 increase after a accumulated lag of 7 days in O3 exposure was −1.000% (95% CI: −1.760, −0.240). All pollutants risk estimates were robust to adjustment for co-pollutants. Stratified analysis showed that females and people aged over 65 were more likely to be harmed by air pollution. In conclusion, short-term exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of HTN mortality. The negative association reported in O3 provides further insight into the health effects of air pollution.