Acute effect of ambient fine particulate matter on heart rate variability: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of panel studies

Abstract

Background Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) is a predictor of autonomic system dysfunction, and is considered as a potential mechanism of increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) induced by exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5). Previous studies have suggested that exposure to PM2.5 may lead to decreased HRV levels, but the results remain inconsistent. Methods An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of panel studies till November 1, 2019 was conducted to evaluate the acute effect of exposure to ambient PM2.5 on HRV. We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase) to identify panel studies reporting the associations between exposure to PM2.5 and the four indicators of HRV (standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences in adjacent normal-to-normal intervals (rMSSD), high frequency power (HF), and low frequency power (LF)). Random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled effect estimates. Results A total of 33 panel studies were included in our meta-analysis, with 16 studies conducted in North America, 12 studies in Asia, and 5 studies in Europe. The pooled results showed a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure which was significantly associated with a − 0.92% change in SDNN (95% confidence intervals (95%CI) − 1.26%, − 0.59%), − 1.47% change in rMSSD (95%CI − 2.17%, − 0.77%), − 2.17% change in HF (95%CI − 3.24%, − 1.10%), and − 1.52% change in LF (95%CI − 2.50%, − 0.54%), respectively. Overall, subgroup analysis suggested that short-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with lower HRV levels in Asians, healthy population, and those aged ≥ 40 years. Conclusion Short-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with decreased HRV levels. Future studies are warranted to clarity the exact mechanism of exposure to PM2.5 on the cardiovascular system through disturbance of autonomic nervous function.

Effects of low-frequency noise from wind turbines on heart rate variability in healthy individuals

“…and Europe showed that a 0.92% reduction in SDNN was observed for a 10 μg/m 3 increase in short-term PM 2.5 exposure [49]. Wang et al showed that 0.39% (95% CI: -0.72%, -0.06%) and 0.92% (95% CI: -2.14%, 0.31%) reductions were observed for short-term and long-term exposures to a 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 , respectively, for adults aged above 55 years old [50].…”

“…A signi cant decrease in SDNN (0.51%; 95% CI: 0.01-1.01%) was associated with a 10 µg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 for Japanese patients aged 20-90 years [48]. A meta-analysis of 33 panel studies in North America, Asia, and Europe showed that a 0.92% reduction in SDNN was observed for a 10 μg/m 3 increase in short-term PM 2.5 exposure [49]. Wang et al showed that 0.39% (95% CI: -0.72%, -0.06%) and 0.92% (95% CI: -2.14%, 0.31%) reductions were observed for short-term and long-term exposures to a 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 , respectively, for adults aged above 55 years old [50].…”

Effects of low-frequency noise from wind turbines on heart rate variability in healthy individuals

“…A significant decrease in SDNN (0.51%; 95% CI: 0.01-1.01%) was associated with a 10 µg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 for Japanese patients aged 20-90 years 58 . A meta-analysis of 33 panel studies in North America, Asia, and Europe showed that a 0.92% reduction in SDNN was observed for a 10 μg/m 3 increase in short-term PM 2.5 exposure 59 . Wang et al showed that 0.39% (95% CI: − 0.72%, − 0.06%) and 0.92% (95% CI: − 2.14%, 0.31%) reductions were observed for short-term and long-term exposures to a 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 , respectively, for adults aged above 55 years old 60 .…”

Marathon race performance increases the amount of particulate matter deposited in the respiratory system of runners: an incentive for “clean air marathon runs”

“…It should be mentioned that recent studies particularly underline negative impact of ultrafine particles (UFP, diameter below 0.1 µm) in the air on various body organs (see e.g., Bevan et al, 2020;Daiber et al, 2020;Niu et al, 2020;Shkirkova et al, 2020). Unfortunately, continuous field measurements of the UFP level in the air are conducted very rarely.…”