KENTUCKY TODAY: New study finds heart risks rise after just a few hours in low quality air

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) – As the heat of late summer can lead to air quality alerts, those who have cardiovascular conditions or who are outdoors for long periods of time may have measurable negative effects on the heart and overall health, according to a new study.

Based on analysis of data from multiple studies of heart rate variability and pollution, researchers in the University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute determined that after about three hours of exposure to pollution, there is a small but significant decline in heart rate variability (HRV). HRV is a key measure of the nervous system stress response and contributes to the regulation of the heart. Lower HRV has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and cardiac events.

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