Exposure to environmental carbon monoxide may have a greater negative effect on cardiac autonomic function in people with metabolic syndrome

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been recognized as a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We investigated the effects of CO on cardiac autonomic function by measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS). We also explored the relationship between CO exposure and specific components of MetS. Data were obtained from air pollution measurements and from health examinations on a total of 986 subjects, from a Korean community. Measurements of the 5-min HRV and examinations for MetS were conducted, and a linear regression model with a time lag was evaluated for any association. The group with MetS showed a significant reduction in the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) and in the high frequency domain of HRV. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, day of the week effect, month effect, temperature, and relative humidity, these declines were significantly associated with exposure to CO for 25 to 48 h prior to the HRV measurement. Evidence for effect-modification by two specific MetS components, fasting blood glucose and triglycerides, was also observed in relation to CO exposure. These results suggest that CO exposure may trigger changes in cardiac autonomic function, and that subjects at high risk for heart disease may be more susceptible to CO effects.