Association of size-fractionated indoor particulate matter and black carbon with heart rate variability in healthy elderly women in Beijing

Abstract

Associations between size-fractionated indoor particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC) and heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) in elderly women remain unclear. Twenty-nine healthy elderly women were measured for 24-hour HRV/HR indices. Real-time size-fractionated indoor PM and BC were monitored on the same day and on the preceding day. Mixed-effects models were applied to investigate the associations between pollutants and HRV/HR indices. Increases in size-fractionated indoor PM were significantly associated with declines in power in the high-frequency band (HF), power in the low-frequency band (LF), and standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN). The largest decline in HF was 19% at 5-minute moving average for an interquartile range (IQR) increase (24 μg/m ) in PM . The results showed that smaller particles could lead to greater reductions in HRV indices. The reported associations were modified by body mass index (BMI): Declines in HF at 5-minute average for an IQR increase in PM were 34.5% and 1.0% for overweight (BMI ≥25 kg/m ) and normal-weight (BMI <25 kg/m ) participants, respectively. Moreover, negative associations between BC and HRV indices were found to be significant in overweight participants. Increases in size-fractionated indoor PM and BC were associated with compromised cardiac autonomic function in healthy elderly women, especially overweight ones.

Different cardiorespiratory effects of indoor air pollution intervention with ionization air purifier: Findings from a randomized, double-blind crossover study among school children in Beijing

“…However, the results were different for cardiac autonomic function. It was observed that increases in PM and BC were associated with decreases in HF, LF and SDNN, similar to previous findings among young adults and the elderly (Chen et al, 2007;Dong et al, 2018;Pan et al, 2018). Yet the potential benefits from reduced particulate pollution might be overcast by increased NAI.…”

Different health effects of indoor‐ and outdoor‐originated PM 2.5 on cardiopulmonary function in COPD patients and healthy elderly adults

“…Our previous studies have estimated the associations of indoor PM pollution and health effects. 10,11,36 Using the iron tracer method, 38 This study suggested that PM 2.5,os was associated with BP levels of healthy elderly adults during the heating season and with pulmonary function during the non-heating season, whereas PM 2.5,is was linked with pulmonary function in COPD patients during the heating season.…”

“…10,11,36 Using the iron tracer method, 38 DBP, diastolic blood pressure; FEV 1 , forced expiratory volume in first second; PEF, peak expiratory flow; PP, pulse pressure; SBP, systolic blood pressure; SD, standard deviation. Our previous studies have estimated the associations of indoor PM pollution and health effects.…”

“…8 Nowadays, people are likely to stay indoors with the majority of the time, especially the elderly due to lack of outdoor social activities. 5,10,11 There are various sources of indoor PM 2.5 . However, there were limited studies investigating the associations of indoor PM 2.5 with health effects.…”

Effects of lunar dust simulant on cardiac function and fibrosis in rats

“…13 Low-grade, chronic inflammation is believed to exacerbate cardiovascular disease, 14 while dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system manifests as irregularities in HR, heart rhythm, and BP. 15,16 HR and HRV are regulated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic (vagus nerve) parts of the autonomic nervous system. Autonomic imbalance is a major contributor to severe ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.…”