Hypertension

Effect of High-efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) Filtration Air Purifiers on Blood Pressure: A Pragmatic Randomized Crossover Trial

J Am Coll CardiolPublished Randomised crossover trial

Primary result · Change in SBP, elevated SBP (≥120 mm Hg)Result — go to the resultMean difference 3.0 mm Hg

Authors' conclusion

The use of in-home HEPA air purifiers resulted in clinically important reductions in SBP for people with elevated SBP in environments with relatively low PM2.5 concentrations.

Study context

Population
Adults living adjacent to highwaysanalysed
Participants
154 adults
Comparison
HEPA filtration vs sham filtration
Primary endpoint
Mean change in BP between HEPA and sham filtration periods
Follow-up
1 month
Methodological detailspragmatic, sham-controlled
  • Pragmatic
  • Sham-controlled

Primary result

Change in SBP, elevated SBP (≥120 mm Hg)

Mean difference

3.0 mm Hg

P = 0.04

Change by group

HEPA

2.8

mean reduction · mm Hg

Sham

0.2

mean increase · mm Hg

As reported in the abstract

Baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) moderated the efficacy of the intervention
P = 0.03

Further findings

Diastolic blood pressure (BP); SBP in participants with normal SBP (<120 mm Hg)

No significant benefit

Particulate matter (PM) concentrations (subset of residences)

HEPA significantly reduced PM vs indoor sham and outdoor levels

Original publication

Effect of HEPA Filtration Air Purifiers on Blood Pressure: A Pragmatic Randomized Crossover Trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 6 August 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2025.06.037

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