(HealthDay News) — Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) appears to be associated with rates of hypertension, and may have an effect on blood pressure control, according to research published online July 16 in theJournal of Hypertension.
Alexey Goncharov, M.D., of the University at Albany in Rensselaer, N.Y., and colleagues examined blood pressure measurements, demographic characteristics, medication intake, smoking, physical activity levels, and the presence of PCBs in blood samples of 758 residents of Anniston, Ala., living near a former PCB-manufacturing plant to establish risk factors for elevated blood pressure and hypertension.
The researchers found that age, serum PCB concentration, and African-American race were associated with significant increases in rates of hypertension, which also increased with body mass index. The researchers also found a significant positive relationship between serum PCB levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the 394 individuals not taking antihypertensive medication. After adjusting for potential confounders, they determined that the odds ratios for the highest to lowest tertiles of total serum PCBs exceeded 3.5 for systolic and diastolic hypertension. The quintile with the highest odds ratio was the third, which suggested a low dose effect.
“In individuals not on antihypertensive medication, serum PCB levels were significantly associated with prevalence of hypertension. Significant positive associations were also observed between PCB concentrations and systolic and diastolic blood pressure even in normotensive ranges. The strength of the relationships between PCB exposure and both hypertension and blood pressure suggests that PCB exposure may be an important contributing factor in regulation of blood pressure,” the authors write.
(10 votes, average: 4.10 out of 5)
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What the heck are PCBs? You don’t explain.
Yes, I agree, what is it?
What was PCB materials or mixture make or the ingradient of pcb particle? Why are this chemical products are manufacture for use? Are PCB found manufacture in ASIA or SOUTH EAST ASIA COUNTRIES?
Was it still risk for people of exposure to mining of coal and coal generating electricity plants?
Thankyou for yr promptly reply.
Not sure if it has anything to do with my elevated BP but I had worked with PCBs in my early 20’s. Handling parts that were covered with the insulating oil. I’m now 60 and my BP is high but controled by medication. Are there any blood tests to see if I have residue PCBs?
Tell us what items/foods/whatever contain PCB.
I am interested as an AA with hypertension/pressure taking 5mg norvaz for appx. 10 years. Also how to avoid PCBs
You did not say what PCB’s were?
What are PCB’s
WHAT is serum PCB levels?In reference to the above article WHAT does PCB stand for?What is it and how does it tie into high blood pressure?
How does one test for PCB levels???
Carol
Which foods or substances in normal usage contain these PCBs?