The condition of resistant hypertension can certainly increase the risk of various cardiovascular problems including heart disease and stroke. Not long ago, a team of researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health managed to find new risk factors for resistant hypertension that had never been suspected before. As revealed in the Journal of the American Heart Association, these risk factors are accumulation of lead in the body.
"Our research shows that cumulative lead load, as measured by cortical bone (the outermost layer of bone) in the tibia, may be a risk factor for resistant hypertension that was previously unknown," said Chief Researcher Dr Sung Kyun Park as reported by Medical News Today.
This finding is known through a study involving 475 veterans with high blood pressure or hypertension. Of all participants, 97 of them had criteria for resistant hypertension.
During the study, the research team collected various data from participants. The data collected included blood pressure, hypertension medication to lead levels in the blood, patella and tibia (shin bone) of the participants. Tibia is another term for dry bones.
From the collected data, researchers adjusted based on several factors such as age, race, smoking habits, weight, socioeconomics to income and demographic factors. The results of data analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between increased accumulation of lead in tibia and an increased risk of resistant hypertension.
The research team revealed that every excess of 15 micrograms of lead per 1 gram of bone in the tibia would contribute 19 percent to a higher risk of resistant hypertension. Similar correlations were not found in the accumulation of lead in the kneecap or blood.
These new findings have succeeded in expanding understanding of the effects of lead accumulation in the body on high blood pressure treatment management. In addition, these findings can also open a new perspective to formulate new target therapies for resistant hypertension.
The research team also highlighted several conditions that could make people exposed to lead. These conditions are the use of lead in gasoline and inhalation of traffic fumes. Old infrastructure with obsolete water pipes is also known to contain lead and can be a source of lead exposure.
On the other hand, the research team also highlighted behaviors that could make the risk of resistant hypertension higher. The research team said the participants of men with resistant hypertension had a habit of controlling their hypertension with 'warung' or over-the-counter drugs, instead of using hypertension drugs according to their prescriptions.
The research team said further research was needed to confirm this new finding. This is because the research conducted by Park and the team still has some limitations such as the gender and race of participants dominated by white men.
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