Mental Stress & Diesel Exhaust on Cardiovascular Health

Effects of Mental Stress and Diesel Exhaust on Cardiovascular Health

This study uses an experimental design to conduct a double-blind, randomized, crossover study where participants receive both diesel exhaust and a mental stress test in a controlled setting. My hypothesis is that the synergistic effect of stress and air pollution will result in higher levels of stress and inflammation (measured via biological markers) as well as poorer cardiovascular disease related outcomes compared to the independent effect of each exposure separately.

Inclusion Criteria:

Non-smokers without history of high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any other chronic condition that requires ongoing care.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Smoking: We rule out active smoking by checking urine cotinine during our study.
2. History of high blood pressure: We objectively measure BP during in-person screening and exclude those with blood pressure (>130/85 mmHg).
3. Asthmatic: Spirometry is done at screening to rule out asthma.
4. Diabetic: We obtain fasting blood sugar to rule out diabetes at screening (>125 mg/dL)
5. Cholesterol: We obtain fasting blood lipid levels to rule out hypercholesterolemia at screening (>200 mg/dL).
6. History of PTSD: Subjects will be asked about prior PTSD diagnosis during the phone and in person screen.
7. Any other chronic condition requiring ongoing care based on medication use.
8. A body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) greater than 26 and less than 18.5
9. A female of childbearing age with a positive pregnancy test
10. A female of childbearing age who is unwilling to use effective contraception during the study