Effects on heart rate variability by artificially generated indoor nano-sized particles in a chamber study

AbstractBackground ne particles are associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in polluted areas. There is a growing interest in nano-sized particles with diameter <100 nm and their potential health effects. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive method for cardiovascular risk prediction in high prevalent groups. study m was to evaluate the impact of nano-sized indoor air particles on HRV for healthy and adult females. s posures were performed as controlled chamber experiments with particle exposure from burning candles, terpene + ozone reactions or filtered air in a double-blind cross over design. Twenty-two healthy females were investigated during 10 min periods at different exposures and the reactivity in high frequency (HF) spectral band of HRV were computed. s rate was unchanged from baseline values in all groups during all experimental settings. HF power of HRV tended to increase during exposure to particles from burning candle while particles from terpene + ozone reactions tended to decrease HF power. sions re to nano-sized particles of burning candles or terpene + ozone reactions results in different patterns of heart rate variability, with signs of altered autonomic cardiovascular control. cal implications tudy indicates that the HRV method may be used for information on physiological responses of exposure to different nano-sized particles and contribute to the understanding of mechanisms behind health effects of particle exposures.