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The level of intelligence and heart rate variability in men after myocardial infarction
1Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychophysiology, Institute of Psychology, Opole University, Opole, Poland. sje@go2.pl
Insights
Higher intelligence in men post-myocardial infarction is linked to significantly increased heart rate variability (HRV). This suggests intelligence may be a beneficial prognostic marker for cardiac recovery and return to normal life.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychophysiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Heart rate variability (HRV) is influenced by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and external factors.
- Previous research has not extensively explored the relationship between HRV and intelligence levels, particularly in post-myocardial infarction patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between intelligence, assessed via the Raven Advanced Matrices Test, and HRV in men who have experienced myocardial infarction.
- To determine if higher intelligence correlates with specific HRV patterns in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of HRV from EEG signal recordings in time and spectral domains.
- Inclusion of 95 men (mean age 41.6 years) with myocardial infarction within the preceding two years.
- Psychophysiological examination including intelligence testing.
Main Results:
- Men with higher-than-average intelligence exhibited significantly increased HRV.
- Both time and frequency domain analyses confirmed this association.
- While both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity increased, sympathetic activity showed disproportionate growth, indicating a predominant influence.
Conclusions:
- Higher intelligence levels in post-myocardial infarction patients are associated with enhanced HRV.
- Intelligence may serve as a beneficial prognostic marker for cardiac mortality and recovery.
- Assessing IQ could be a simple screening tool to predict patient outcomes and social reintegration.
Abstract:
Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects periodic changes taking place in heart rhythm, which are controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and external factors. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between HRV and the level of intelligence using the Raven Advanced Matrices Test in 95 men (mean age 41.6 +/-3.7 SD yr) who experienced myocardial infarction during two years preceding the psychophysiological examination. HRV was analyzed from the EEG signal recordings in the time and spectral domains. It was found that post-myocardial infarct men of the higher than average intelligence had significantly increased HRV; the finding was reflected in the analysis of both time and frequency domains. Although both sympathetic and parasympathetic components showed an increase in the frequency domain, the former did disproportionately more, achieving substantial predominance. The results indicate that active mental processes and attitude, linked to a higher intelligence level, might be a beneficial prognostic marker, as is higher HRV, for the overall post-infarction cardiac mortality and for return of such subjects back to normal life. The corollary is that the assessment of IQ in post-infarction patients seems a simple screening method that may help presage the health and social course the patient takes.
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