Association between exposure to particulate matter and heart rate variability in vulnerable and susceptible individuals

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) exposure can reduce heart rate variability (HRV), a cardiovascular health marker. This study examines PM_1.0 (aerodynamic diameters <1 μm), PM_2.5 (≥1 μm and <2.5 μm), and PM₁₀ (≥2.5 μm and <10 μm) effects on HRV in patients with environmental diseases as chronic disease groups and vulnerable populations as control groups. PM levels were measured indoors and outdoors for five days in 97 participants, with 24-h HRV monitoring via wearable devices. PM exposure was assessed by categorizing daily cumulative PM concentrations into higher and lower exposure days, while daily average PM concentrations were used for analysis. Results showed significant negative associations between exposure to single and mixtures of different PM metrics and HRV across all groups, particularly in chronic airway disease and higher air pollution exposed groups. These findings highlight that even lower PM levels may reduce HRV, suggesting a need for stricter standards to protect sensitive individuals.