Both outdoor and indoor exposures to these pollutants can lead to significant cardiovascular effects
A lot of middle-aged women in their 30s and 40s are diagnosed with hypertension, or high blood pressure. According to doctors, most of the cases are usually detected in big cities and polluted areas around them. Even though the impact of pollution is generally associated with respiratory health, in women it also changes their biology and hormones.
Air pollution is a well-recognised environmental risk factor for hypertension, with several pollutants contributing to elevated blood pressure. Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5 - especially from sources like vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, power plants, and even indoor activities such as burning candles or tobacco—has been linked to both short-term spikes and long-term increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Black carbon, a major component of PM2.5, and accumulation mode particles from combustion processes further contribute to this risk. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), primarily emitted from fossil fuel combustion in vehicles, power plants, and gas stoves, is also associated with increased diastolic blood pressure.
“Both outdoor and indoor exposures to these pollutants can lead to significant cardiovascular effects, underscoring the importance of air quality management in preventing and controlling hypertension,” Dr. Samrat Ashok Shah, MD, Medicine and Consultant Physician, Ruby Hall Clinic, told Times Now.
What types of pollutants are linked to increased hypertension risk in women?
According to Dr. Abizer Manked, consultant physician at Saifee Hospital, the most strongly implicated pollutants in hypertension risk include
- PM2.5, or particulate matter ≤ 2.5 micrometres, which penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Nitrogen dioxide, or NO₂, is associated with increased arterial stiffness and vascular inflammation.
- Ozone, or O₃, even though it is less studied, can aggravate cardiovascular conditions by affecting lung function and oxygen delivery.
- Carbon monoxide, or CO, impairs oxygen transport, forcing the heart to work harder, which can raise blood pressure.
Of these, PM2.5 remains the most well-documented and dangerous, particularly in densely populated urban areas. “Yes, hormonal changes during perimenopause and early menopause can significantly amplify vulnerability to pollution-induced hypertension. As estrogen levels begin to decline, women lose the natural cardiovascular protection it provides,” said Dr.Manked.
Experts say estrogen levels help maintain vascular flexibility and reduce inflammation, and their reduction—combined with the systemic inflammation caused by air pollutants—can cause endothelial dysfunction, which is a major factor in the development of hypertension.
This biological interplay makes middle-aged women a high-risk group for pollution-induced cardiovascular issues.
