Living Near Major Roadways Increases Likelihood of Hypertension

Living close to major roadways, such as freeways, freeway ramps, or heavily trafficked arterial roads, is associated with higher blood pressure, according to a new analysis.

For example, individuals who lived within 100 m of any major roadway were 22% more likely to have hypertension than those who lived more than 1000 m from the road. 

“Prior studies suggest that residential proximity to major roadways is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality,” according to lead investigator Kipruto Kirwa (Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI). “If causal, our findings raise the possibility that these associations may be mediated, at least in part, through an increased risk of hypertension.”

If this turns out to be true, the researchers say that preventing hypertension, or at least managing it, might be a feasible strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.