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Autonomic Function Following Concussion in Youth Athletes: An Exploration of Heart Rate Variability Using 24-hour Recording Methodology
Published on: September 21, 2018
Insights from the study of heart rate variability
1Division of Cardiology, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. steinph@medicine.wustl.edu
Annual Review of Medicine
|March 12, 1999
Summary
Heart rate variability (HRV) indices reflect autonomic nervous system activity. Lower HRV predicts mortality in healthy adults and post-heart attack patients, but its success varies in other conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
- Physiological Monitoring
Background:
- Heart rate variability (HRV) indices offer insights into the autonomic modulation of the heart.
- HRV analysis, in time or frequency domains, reflects parasympathetic, sympathetic, and circadian rhythms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive value of HRV indices for mortality and risk stratification across various patient populations.
- To assess the association between HRV and outcomes in healthy adults, post-myocardial infarction patients, heart failure patients, and diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) indices derived from time and frequency domain measurements.
- Review of population studies and clinical data linking HRV to mortality and risk stratification.
Main Results:
- Decreased HRV predicts mortality in healthy adults and is a risk factor for arrhythmic events in post-myocardial infarction patients.
- HRV has shown mixed predictive success in congestive heart failure but identifies diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy.
- Combined HRV with other risk stratifiers like ejection fraction can identify high-risk cardiac patients.
Conclusions:
- HRV is a valuable, though not universally perfect, predictor of mortality and risk in cardiovascular and related conditions.
- Interventions aimed at increasing HRV may be associated with improved survival rates, warranting further investigation.
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