Hypertension and fluoride in drinking water: Case study from West Azerbaijan, Iran

Hypertension is a major public health challenge in Iran and its detection
and control are vitally important to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and
cerebrovascular accident. Fluoride can be a risk factor for hypertension and, in this
cross-sectional study, the effects on the prevalence of hypertension of high (3.94 mg
F/L) and low (0.25 mg F/L) fluoride exposure via drinking water were investigated in
two areas in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. The number of persons studied, aged
20–65 yr, was 897 (male: 453; female: 444) in the high fluoride area and 1981 (male:
945; female: 1036) in the low fluoride area. Cases were excluded who had aetiological
factors known to contribute to hypertension, such as smoking, age >65 yr, a family
history of hypertension, lack of mobility, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. In the
high fluoride area, compared to the low fluoride area, hypertension, without known
aetiological factors, was increased (p<0.05) in females aged 50–59 yr and decreased
(p<0.05) in the combined group of males and females aged 40–49 yr. Because of the
varying results of the studies in this topic, further research is recommended.