Bone Lead as a Risk Factor for Hypertension in Men

While some have observed a positive relationship between blood lead levels and blood pressure, this relationship has been controversial. A recent study examined the hypothesis that bone lead levels, used as a measure of long‐term lead accumulation, are associated with an increased risk of hypertension in men. Using a backward elimination logistic regression model, the researchers found that tibia lead, body mass index, and family history of hypertension contributed to the development of hypertension. An increase in tibia lead from 8 to 37 μg per gram of bone mineral was associated with an increased odds ratio of hypertension of 1.5. This is an interesting preliminary finding that requires support from additional experimentation.