Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
06:04

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

Decreased heart rate variability may predict the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes

Anders Gottsäter1, Asa Rydén Ahlgren, Soumia Taimour

  • 1Dept. of Vascular Diseases, University of Lund, University Hospital UMAS, S-205 02, Malmö, Sweden. anders.gottsater@skane.se

Clinical Autonomic Research : Official Journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society
|June 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Low heart rate variability (HRV) in type 2 diabetes is linked to worsening carotid artery atherosclerosis. Reduced HRV may predict disease progression, highlighting its role in cardiovascular complications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Autonomic Neuroscience

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease is a significant complication in type 2 diabetes.
  • Autonomic dysfunction, measured by heart rate variability (HRV), can predict survival outcomes.
  • The relationship between autonomic dysfunction and carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if autonomic dysfunction, assessed via HRV and other autonomic tests, is associated with carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques in type 2 diabetic patients.
  • To investigate the association between HRV parameters and the extent and progression of carotid atherosclerosis over time.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed frequency domain HRV from 24-hour Holter ECG, expiration/inspiration (E/I) ratio, and acceleration index (AI) in 61 type 2 diabetic patients.
  • Evaluated carotid artery atherosclerosis, including intima-media thickness (IMT), at baseline and follow-up (8 years).
  • Correlated HRV measures with baseline atherosclerosis and changes in IMT over the follow-up period.

Main Results:

  • At baseline, autonomic neuropathy, abnormal E/I ratio, and AI were associated with decreased low frequency (LF) HRV.
  • Reduced carotid artery diameter and increased IMT correlated with HRV at baseline.
  • All HRV variables significantly decreased at follow-up.
  • Lower baseline LF HRV predicted a greater increase in carotid bulb IMT thickness over 8 years.

Conclusions:

  • Low LF HRV is associated with the extent and progression of carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.
  • Reduced LF HRV may serve as a predictor for atherosclerosis progression in this patient population.
  • Autonomic dysfunction plays a role in the development and advancement of cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes.

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Factors Influencing Heart Rate01:30

Factors Influencing Heart Rate

The heart rate, or pulse rate, is a vital indicator of cardiovascular health. It reflects the number of times the heart beats per minute. Various physiological and environmental factors influence heart rate, increasing or decreasing cardiac output. Understanding these factors is crucial for assessing heart function and identifying potential health issues.
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
Decreased pulse rate01:14

Decreased pulse rate

Bradycardia is a medical condition in which the heart rate is slower than normal. It occurs when the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinus node, generates slower electrical impulses than the standard rhythm. In adults, bradycardia is diagnosed when the pulse rate falls below 60 beats per minute, indicating a deviation from the normal heart rate range.
There are specific risk factors that can elevate the likelihood of developing bradycardia. Advanced age is a significant factor, with bradycardia...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis01:25

Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated hypertension...