Related Experiment Videos
The Relationship between Heart Rate Variability and Adiposity Differs for Central and Overall Adiposity
B Gwen Windham1, Stefano Fumagalli, Alessandro Ble
1Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
Journal of Obesity
|June 1, 2012
Summary
Central adiposity, measured by waist circumference, is linked to reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in younger adults. Body Mass Index (BMI) showed no association with HRV.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Obesity is linked to autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, but the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and heart rate variability (HRV) is unclear.
- Visceral fat, indicated by waist circumference (WC), may have a greater impact on ANS function than subcutaneous fat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between central adiposity (WC) and HRV compared to overall adiposity (BMI).
- To determine if WC is a stronger predictor of HRV than BMI.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
- Calculated time-domain HRV variables (SDNN, RMSSD) from 24-hour Holter recordings in 159 participants (aged 29-96).
- Compared the strength of association between HRV and WC versus HRV and BMI.
Main Results:
- Increasing WC was significantly associated with decreasing SDNN and RMSSD in younger participants.
- No significant association was found between WC and HRV in older participants.
- BMI was not associated with HRV in any age group.
- A significant interaction between WC and age was observed (P=0.003).
Conclusions:
- Central adiposity (WC) may contribute to declines in sympathetic and parasympathetic ANS function early in life.
- WC is a more sensitive indicator of ANS changes related to adiposity than BMI, particularly in younger individuals.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Factors 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,...
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
01:31Regulation of Heart Rates
The regulation of heart rate is a complex process controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), hormonal influences, and intrinsic cardiac mechanisms. The ANS has two main components: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
The SNS increases heart rate through the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which act on beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. This action increases the rate of depolarization in the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's...
The SNS increases heart rate through the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, which act on beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart. This action increases the rate of depolarization in the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart's...
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate...
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate...
01:11Variability: Analysis
Measures of variability are statistical metrics that reveal the dispersion pattern within a dataset. They are pivotal in biostatistics, providing insights into the heterogeneity within health and biological data. Variability signifies the degree to which data points diverge from one another, helping researchers understand the potential range of values and associated uncertainty within the data.
The range is a simple measure of variability, indicating the difference between the highest and...
The range is a simple measure of variability, indicating the difference between the highest and...
01:17Other Factors Affecting Respiration Centers
Breathing is primarily an involuntary activity regulated by the brainstem respiratory centers. However, it can also be consciously controlled, allowing us to hold our breath or take deeper breaths when needed. This voluntary control is facilitated by the cerebral motor cortex, which bypasses the medullary centers to stimulate the respiratory muscles directly.
However, the ability to hold one's breath voluntarily is not limitless. When the CO2 concentration in the blood reaches a critical level,...
However, the ability to hold one's breath voluntarily is not limitless. When the CO2 concentration in the blood reaches a critical level,...
01:25Metabolic Rate
The human body is a powerhouse of energy, with every cell performing numerous functions that require energy. This energy production and consumption is measured by the metabolic rate, which quantifies the total heat generated by all the body's chemical reactions and mechanical work. This measurement helps to determine the rate of kilocalorie (kcal) consumption needed to fuel all ongoing activities.
The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) measures the energy expended at rest.
Several factors influence the...
The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) measures the energy expended at rest.
Several factors influence the...