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[HEALTH] · United States · 4 sources

University of Louisville study links air pollution to heart rate decline

Researchers at the University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute have identified a link between short-term air pollution exposure and a decline in heart rate variability (HRV). An analysis of 27 published studies suggests that even low levels of poor air quality can stress the nervous system and heart regulation after approximately three hours of exposure.

Heart rate variability is a critical indicator of the nervous system's stress response. A decline in HRV is associated with an increased risk of cardiac events and heart disease. The study, published in BMC Public Health, suggests that these short-term physiological shifts may serve as early warning signs of long-term cardiovascular health risks, particularly for individuals working outdoors or those with pre-existing conditions.

Entities

BMC Public Health · Cameron Stopforth · Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute · Rachel Keith · University of Louisville

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