Table 3.

Difference in Vascular Function Parameters in Subjects in the Upper and Lower Quartiles of Mercury (Hg) Levels

	Blood Hg		Hair Hg

	Difference^a	P-value	Difference^a	P-value
FMD%	0.47 (−0.50, 1.42)	0.34	0.50 (−1.81, 2.81)	0.67
MCAR%	0.14 (−0.40, 0.67)	0.61	−0.85 (−2.21, 0.51)	0.22
Diastolic BP (mm Hg)	1.0 (−4.8, 6.8)	0.74	1.47 (−4.4, 7.3)	0.62
Systolic BP (mm Hg)	7.7 (1.0,16.5)	0.08	6.2 (−2.4,14.9)	0.16
Hypertension^b	1.93 (0.66, 5.65)	0.23	4.19 (1.28, 13.76)	0.02

Adjusted for gender, age, body mass index, fish intake, and hypertension (95% CI).

Odds ratio adjusted for gender, age, body mass index, and fish intake. Hypertension defined as systolic BP≥140 or diastolic BP≥90 mm Hg or receiving antihypertensive drugs.

Abbreviations: Hg, mercury; FMD, brachial artery flow mediated dilation; MCAR, middle cerebral artery reactivity to CO₂; BP, blood pressure.