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Age difference in heart rate changes associated with micro-arousals in humans
N Gosselin1, M Michaud, J Carrier
1Centre d'étude du sommeil et des rythmes biologiques, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400 boul. Gouin Ouest, Quebec, Montreal, Canada.
Summary
Middle-aged individuals exhibit blunted heart rate (HR) responses to sleep micro-arousals (MA), indicating potential age-related autonomic nervous system changes and increased cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sleep Medicine
- Autonomic Neuroscience
Background:
- Heart rate (HR) exhibits known variations during sleep, particularly in response to micro-arousals (MA).
- Age is a significant factor influencing physiological responses, including cardiovascular regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of age on heart rate (HR) variations associated with sleep micro-arousals (MA).
- To compare HR response patterns between young and middle-aged healthy adults during sleep.
Main Methods:
- Polysomnography was conducted on 32 healthy subjects, divided into young (20-35 years) and middle-aged (50-65 years) groups.
- R-R intervals were analyzed for 10 beats before and 15 beats after MA onset in both groups.
Main Results:
- Both age groups displayed a heart rate pattern of tachycardia followed by bradycardia post-MA.
- Middle-aged subjects demonstrated a significantly reduced amplitude in both tachycardia and bradycardia compared to younger subjects.
Conclusions:
- An age-related attenuation in the amplitude of HR changes following MA was observed.
- These findings suggest a potential decline in parasympathetic function with age, possibly increasing cardiovascular disease risk.