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Effects of low ambient temperature on heart rate variability during sleep in humans

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Abstract

The effects of cold exposure on heart rate variability (HRV) during sleep were examined. Eight male subjects slept under three different conditions: 3°C, 50–80% relative humidity (RH) [3]; 10°C, 50% RH [10]; and 17°C 50% RH [17]. No significant differences were observed in HRV during rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and wakefulness. The ratio of the low frequency (LF) to high frequency component (HF) of HRV (LF/HF) significantly differed among the conditions during stage 2 and slow wave sleep (SWS) that decreased as the ambient temperature decreased. The normalized LF [LF/(LF + HF)] significantly decreased in 3 and 10 than in 17 during SWS. In low ambient temperature, predominant cardiac parasympathetic activity during stage 2 with no significant difference during REM and wakefulness may cause variations in HRV at transition from stage 2 to REM and wakefulness. These results may partly explain the peak in adverse cardiac events during winter.

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Acknowledgments

This study was performed through Special Coordination Funds of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Japanese Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), AIST Tsukuba Central 6, 1-1-1, Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan

    Kazue Okamoto-Mizuno & Kazuyo Tsuzuki

  2. Tohoku Fukushi University, Center for Welfare and Health Improvement, 6-149-1 Kunimi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 989-3201, Japan

    Kazue Okamoto-Mizuno

  3. Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Tohoku Fukushi University, 6-149-1 Kunimi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 989-3201, Japan

    Koh Mizuno

  4. Ibaraki Industrial Technology Center, 3781-1, Nagaoka, Ibaraki, HigashiIbaraki, Ibaraki, 311-3195, Japan

    Yasushi Ohshiro

  5. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba Central 6, 1-1-6 Azuma, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan

    Kazue Okamoto-Mizuno

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  1. Kazue Okamoto-Mizuno
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  2. Kazuyo Tsuzuki
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  3. Koh Mizuno
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  4. Yasushi Ohshiro
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Correspondence to Kazue Okamoto-Mizuno.

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Okamoto-Mizuno, K., Tsuzuki, K., Mizuno, K. et al. Effects of low ambient temperature on heart rate variability during sleep in humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 105, 191–197 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0889-1

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