BP variability and cardiovascular autonomic function in relation to forced expiratory volume: a population-based...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pulmonology
• Autonomic Neuroscience

Background:

• Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
• This study investigates the link between pulmonary function (FEV(1) and VC) and autonomic function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if reduced lung function, specifically low FEV(1) or VC, is associated with autonomic dysfunction.
• To assess autonomic function using heart rate variability (HRV) and systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV).

Main Methods:

• A population-based study involving 901 elderly individuals (70 years of age).
• Autonomic function was measured via HRV and SBPV during controlled breathing.
• Pulmonary function (FEV(1) and VC) was assessed, and analyses were performed on sex-specific quartiles.

Main Results:

• Low FEV(1) was significantly associated with higher SBPV in the high-frequency (HF) domain, even after adjusting for confounders.
• Low vital capacity (VC) showed a crude association with high SBPV-HF, but this did not persist after adjustments.
• No significant relationships were found between FEV(1) or VC and baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS) or HRV, or SBPV in the low-frequency (LF) domain.

Conclusions:

• Reduced FEV(1) is independently associated with increased high-frequency SBPV.
• Elevated beat-to-beat blood pressure variability may contribute to the heightened cardiovascular risk observed in individuals with moderately reduced FEV(1).