Does short-term air pollution exposure have effects on blood pressure and heart rate in healthy women in the city of niŠ, Serbia?

Abstract

Objective: Epidemiological research has shown that air pollution is associated with cardiovascular events, but little is known about short-term effects on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in Serbian population. The present study assessed the short-term association between black smoke (BS) and sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) levels in urban air and the daily values of blood pressure and heart rate in 98 healthy nonsmoking female volunteers. Methods: Generalized regression model was fitted controlling for temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, season, and the day of the week. Results: There was no association between short-term air pollution exposure and BP and HR, the exposure showed a tendency toward a decrease of diastolic BP and HR, but with no statistical significance. Conclusion: The present findings did not support the conclusion that current levels of ambient BS and SO 2 may have an effect on blood pressure and heart rate in women.