Continuing studies of noise and cardiovascular function

• Published in: Journal of sound and vibration 1978-07, Vol.59 (1), p.123-129
• Main Authors: Peterson, E., Augenstein, J.S., Tanis, D.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-460X; 1095-8568
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-460X(78)90488-1

Long term trends in heart rate were observed in a free-moving rhesus monkey. Initially, normal heart rate for the animal was defined over a span of 4 months. She was then exposed to a community noise recording 12 hours per day for 7 weeks. Pre- and post-exposure changes were noted in several aspects of cardiac function. During the exposure period, heart rate and proportion of aberrant EKG responses rose significantly above, then fell significantly below, baseline levels. Patterns of diurnal rhythm for early morning heart rate were also altered by noise exposure. These last results are consistent with those of an earlier study in which a restrained animal was subjected to similar stimulus conditions. The after effects of the single, prolonged noise exposure episode have dissipated gradually. During the course of a 4 month post-exposure period, heart rate and proportion of aberrant EKG responses have slowly returned to near baseline levels. Early morning diurnal rhythm for heart rate has not yet returned to its pre-exposure pattern.