Like a high-sodium diet: traffic pollution can cause rise in blood pressure – study

Cars on the Interstate 5 after a fire closed the Interstate 10 in Los Angeles, California, on 14 November 2023. Photograph: Damian Dovarganes/AP

Getting stuck in traffic is one of the most common stressors that millions of Americans face every day. The bumper-to-bumper traffic can come at the cost of wasted gas, environmental pollution, and as new research shows, even spikes in blood pressure.

Air pollution from traffic can cause a significant rise in blood pressure that can last up to 24 hours, according to a study via the University of Washington. The spike is comparable to the effect of a high-sodium diet and can contribute to cardiovascular problems. Long-term exposure to vehicle exhaust has been widely linked with respiratory problems such as asthma, especially in children.