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Depressive symptoms and heart rate variability in postmenopausal women

Chin K Kim1, Susan P McGorray, Beth A Bartholomew

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0277, USA.

Archives of Internal Medicine
|June 16, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women are linked to lower heart rate variability and higher heart rates, suggesting increased sympathetic nervous system activity and potential cardiac risks.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Women's Health

Background:

  • Depression is linked to increased cardiac events, but mechanisms are unclear.
  • Low heart rate variability (HRV) is a cardiac risk factor.
  • Previous studies on depression and HRV are inconsistent.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal women.
  • To explore potential pathophysiologic links between depression and cardiovascular risk.

Main Methods:

  • Ancillary study to the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study.
  • 2627 postmenopausal women (aged 50-83) underwent 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring.
  • Depressive symptoms assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and Diagnostic Interview Schedule.

Main Results:

  • 10.2% of women had depressive symptoms.
  • Women with depressive symptoms exhibited higher mean heart rate (77.4 bpm vs 75.5 bpm).
  • Depressive symptoms were associated with significantly lower heart rate variability (HRV).

Conclusions:

  • Depressive symptoms in women are associated with reduced HRV and elevated heart rate.
  • Findings suggest increased sympathetic nervous system tone in women with depression.
  • These physiological changes may explain the elevated cardiac morbidity and mortality observed in depression.
Abstract

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